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North Carolina Basketball: Jalek Felton Shows Loyalty Committing to UNC for 2017

By James Fitzgerald

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Of course it helps that Jalek Felton’s uncle Ray Felton played at North Carolina. It helps Roy Williams to have a relative of a recruit be able to sell North Carolina.

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But the commitment of Jalek Felton to UNC means a bit more during a time when there are probable sanctions on the way to hit the school.

This might be a sign that things may not be as dire as people think for the athletic program as it awaits its fate after the 2015-16 season concludes.

There had to be something said in the conversation that gave Felton some kind of comfort.

He could have gone to any school he wanted considering that he is ranked as the No. 4 point guard and 22nd best overall prospect for the class of 2017 according to scout.com.

But Felton choosing North Carolina despite the issues says that there is loyalty to Roy Williams on Jalek Felton’s part, and that despite UNC’s situation, Roy Williams should still have some drawing power on the recruiting trail during the NCAA storm.

This is North Carolina after all, one of the most storied basketball programs in college basketball history. Even with the school going through its issues, the brand still has power.

What it took for Roy Williams to seal this deal was simply a good hearty conversation.

Jalek Felton had retracted the commitment he made in December to UNC  at one point because other schools had come calling and also his fears pertaining to the NCAA allegations.

But Coach Williams assured him and the family that things are going to be just fine regardless of the NCAA’s hammer, and Felton stayed loyal.

Raymond Felton Sr. , who is Jalek’s grandfather spoke about what circumstances made him waver, and ultimately what the conversation consisted of in the scout.com piece.

"“He was just being a young boy, seeing all the guys going to other schools and taking visits. He knows he wants to go back to them. He’s 100 percent committed to Carolina. When they talked he (Williams) just wanted a full commitment. They’re going to have another conversation. He’s not going to take any visits.”"

North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina Tar Heels /

North Carolina Tar Heels

Jalek Felton is comfortable with North Carolina and has a good idea about what to expect in Chapel Hill. That is easily the biggest selling point for him to want to be a Tar Heel.

Felton is a 6-foot-4 point guard who is coming off of a sophomore season that saw him average 28.7 points and 6.4 assists.

Even though Kentucky and South Carolina came calling, familiarity won out in Felton’s recruitment. But more importantly, Roy Williams was able to assure him that he will be fine regardless of the sanctions to come.

Now the question is can Roy Williams attract more top notch talent to North Carolina despite the storm.

Chances are that with his track record and the brand power that North Carolina holds in the college basketball ranks, Coach Williams can.

Next: Maryland Enters the Season a Trendy Pick to Win It All

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