Each year in North Carolina, rankings are in constant fluctuation due to the amount of prospects that either drastically improve, find a new setting, or maximize an unforeseen opportunity. Sometimes, none of these apply to the actual circumstances. However, this article series will take a look at some of the most worthy prospects due for a likely jump in our rankings. Starting with North Carolina's Class of 2021, we look at Joseph Ferrante of South Mecklenburg.'
Mentioned above are some of the most common reasons for a player to see a boost in their ranking and/or recruitment, but Ferrante doesn't really check any of those boxes. He played for a South Meck team that only averaged 47.72 shot attempts and 55.9 points per game last season. By contrast, a squad like Henderson Collegiate averaged 59.72 shot attempts and 76.3 points per game. It might be an unfair comparison since the Pride tend to play a little faster than most programs. That being said, the results remain consistent even when looking at a more balanced group like Northwest Guilford'who averaged 54.55 shot attempts and 70.8 points per game. Playing slower can be effective, but playing too slow can only be a detriment'especially given the stylistic preference for majority of teams. So, let's look at a hypothetical. Assuming South Meck played just slightly faster to match Northwest Guilford's attempts and gave all seven of those shot attempts to Ferrante, due to his 55% field goal percentage and 1.5 points weighted per shot attempt, he would average an additional 5.78 points per game. It might not seem like a ton, but a scoring average of 18.5 PPG is certainly more enticing than 12.7 PPG. Given the slight increase in speed, one would also imagine Ferrante grabbing another rebound or two (maybe going from 7.1 RPG to 8.5 RPG).
Perhaps the hiring of Gary Hall could be viewed as a favorable unforeseen circumstance, but to think that Ferrante will see a major boost in his recruitment strictly due to a coaching change is genuinely bizarre. His game and overall identity as a player should've already been appealing enough to various Division I programs prior to the coaching change. Ferrante possesses exceptional IQ, touch, and footwork around the basket, but can also step out and knock down jumpers from midrange or beyond the arc. His recognition of mismatches is as sharp as any post player in the state, given how quickly he notices and buries smaller opponents on the block'which is typically a guaranteed bucket. Ferrante cuts very well without the ball and understands how to utilize positioning to his advantage on both ends of the floor. He's tougher than opponents seem to think and will meet (and often finish over or through) defenders at the rim. Not only is Ferrante a proven low-post scorer with size, vision, and perimeter touch, but he's also shown the skill to beat most big men off the dribble. Right now, his recruitment simply does not match his ability, but Ferrante will turn doubters into believers throughout the next calendar year.