6'3 Derin Saran (Asheville School)
In all honesty, Derin Saran already has a pretty healthy collection of offers and could commit at any point in time. However, that shouldn't deter more programs from getting involved with the extremely heady, playmaking point guard. Saran is easily one of the best passers to come through North Carolina in recent memory. His blend of IQ, craftiness, and overall pace allows him to touch the paint at will, make excellent reads, and apply scoring pressure or set up his teammates at a seemingly nonstop rate. Watching him run a team is truly a thing of beauty, as he's a natural leader who will adapt to whatever is needed of him.
6'8 Avion Pinner (Concord Academy)
With versatility being such a meaningful part of basketball, one would naturally assume Avion Pinner would have a lot more action within his recruitment. It's confusing to try and understand what more he needs to do to receive attention from next-level programs. After being a nightly double-double machine for two consecutive years at Riverside-Martin, winning a state championship with The Burlington School, and being the most productive player on a 31-7 Concord Academy squad that lost in the title game, it's unclear what else folks want from Pinner. He's found success (and production) wherever he's been and simply deserves more traction from college coaches. Pinner's blend of size, physical tools, and well-rounded ability would make him a useful piece at a slew of different destinations.
6'6 Nick Dorn (Chambers)
Quite possibly the strangest situation of any unsigned player in the state, Nick Dorn remains available despite literally doubling his production across the board. Of his Division I offers, only three have come in the last twelve months and none since the start of his fairly dominant senior season. The scenario genuinely feels fake. How else could someone explain a 6-foot-6 knockdown shooter with IQ, athleticism, and the ability to excel within a variety of different roles still being available' Add in his GPA, basketball lineage, and low-maintenance presence, and it makes even less sense. Dorn is a career 37% three-point shooter on over 300 attempts (not even accounting for the fact that he grew multiple inches). Seriously, what are we talking about' Dorn is a pure victim of the landscape becoming a circus, as coaches are preying on the transfer portal instead of pursuing what is readily available. He's as deserving of offers as anyone in the state.
6'8 Patrick Tivnan (Charlotte Catholic)
Given the general value big men will always provide, it's difficult to understand why Patrick Tivnan is still available. Fortunately, his recruitment has picked up over the recent months but still feels lacking overall. He offers a terrific blend of touch, footwork, toughness, and perimeter shooting. Tivnan is polished enough to purposefully adapt to whatever the opposition is giving him, taking advantage of bigger opponents by spacing the floor or attacking off the bounce and punishing smaller opponents by taking them inside the paint. He plays with phenomenal energy on both ends of the floor, especially as a rebounder, and passes the ball very well for his size. Add in his GPA, and there's really no explanation for why Tivnan is still available.
6'6 Jakwon Moore (New Life Christian)
Given the way things were trending two summers ago, it's incredibly surprising to see Jakwon Moore's name on this list. That being said, he's played extremely well since joining New Life Christian. Moore is a strong, powerful, physically overwhelming wing prospect with great size, athleticism, and toughness on both ends of the floor. He thrives in transition and displays the ability to consistently get downhill with the ball in his hands. Moore is a useful defender and quality rebounder for his position. He's a willing passing with the ability to assume playmaking duties as needed. Moore is an imposing defender who knows how to utilize his length and sharp instincts to force turnovers. It goes without saying, but he should have more opportunities from next-level programs.
