NCAA Basketball: Analyzing the key 6 teams for 5-star forward Jarin Stevenson

North Carolina Tar Heels

2023 class option

What’s interesting about the Tar Heels is that as bad as this past season was, they could be in a very good spot for both upcoming classes. Right now, the projected starting forward for them is Jae’lyn Withers, a transfer that was a role player at Louisville. The team also has top-75 frontcourt freshman Zayden High but Stevenson very well could be higher on the totem pole if he reclassifies.

There’s a class of 2024 commit that’s actually considering moving up as well in Elliot Cadeau, a five-star ball-handler. He and Stevenson joining forces for next season would make the Tar Heels a top-15 caliber team for next season. As long as he’s willing to play second fiddle to Armando Bacot in the frontcourt in his final year.

2024 class option

Once Bacot is gone, Stevenson could be the focal point of the offense. He’d also be part of an already elite class, as five-star guard Ian Jackson, and top-60 commits, Drake Powell and center James Brown have already committed. And plus, the veterans that would command the ball the most will have already been gone.

Another sneaky reason to wait is to see what happens with head coach Hubert Davis. With a national championship game on his early resume, I don’t think he’s truly on the hot seat. But if he misses back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances with Bacot on the roster, not only could his seat get warm, but prospects like Stevenson may have second thoughts about playing for him, even though UNC is the “home” option.