Michael Malone’s transition from the NBA to college basketball continues to generate plenty of attention on the recruiting trail, and North Carolina is once again positioning itself in the middle of a major recruiting battle.
With the help of assistant head coach Chuck Martin, Malone has quickly established the Tar Heels as a serious option for some of the nation’s top prospects. Now, another five-star name has emerged as a potential target for the new-look UNC program.
Five-star combo guard Adan Diggs has officially narrowed his recruitment to seven schools, and North Carolina is among the finalists.
For the Tar Heels, simply making the cut is another encouraging sign of the direction Malone is taking the program.
ADAN DIGGS PUTS UNC AMONG HIS FINAL SEVEN
Diggs recently announced his top seven schools, giving fans a clearer picture of the programs still competing for his commitment.
North Carolina made the list alongside Arizona, Kentucky, Duke, Arkansas, USC and Kansas. That group represents an impressive collection of national programs, including several traditional blue-bloods.
Diggs is listed at 6-foot-4 and plays the combo guard/shooting guard position. A talented scorer with the versatility to contribute in multiple areas, he has attracted significant attention throughout the recruiting cycle.
His Arizona roots naturally make the Wildcats an important program to watch.
Playing his high school basketball in Gilbert, Arizona, Diggs is expected to receive strong interest from Arizona, and the Wildcats could have an advantage because of their proximity and established recruiting presence in the region.
Arizona already has a scheduled visit with Diggs for Sept. 25, making that trip one of the most important dates to watch in his recruitment.
However, North Carolina should not be dismissed.
MALONE CONTINUES TO BUILD RECRUITING MOMENTUM
One of the most encouraging aspects of Malone’s early tenure in Chapel Hill has been his ability to generate interest from highly ranked prospects despite having relatively little experience recruiting at the college level.
After spending 25 seasons coaching in the NBA, Malone entered an entirely different recruiting environment when he took over at North Carolina. Yet his transition has appeared increasingly comfortable.
Martin has also played an important role in helping the Tar Heels connect with elite prospects, and the combination has already made UNC a program worth watching in several major recruitments.
Diggs is the latest example.
According to On3, the five-star guard intends to visit the other finalists in his recruitment. If that plan holds, North Carolina should have an opportunity to make its case in person.
That could be particularly important because recruiting a player from Arizona against programs such as Arizona, Duke, Kentucky and Kansas will require a strong pitch from Malone and his staff.
UNC NEEDS TO TURN INTEREST INTO VISITS
For North Carolina, the next step is simple: get Diggs to Chapel Hill.
Making the top seven is certainly positive, but the Tar Heels will need to turn that interest into a campus visit if they want to become a legitimate contender for his services.
The Arizona visit on Sept. 25 could also provide an early indication of where this recruitment is heading.
If Diggs leaves that visit convinced that Arizona is the right fit, a commitment could potentially come sooner than expected. On the other hand, if he continues exploring his options and follows through with visits to the other finalists, UNC will have an opportunity to make up ground.
That distinction could be critical for Malone.
North Carolina has already experienced a disappointing recruiting development this week, with highly regarded prospect NaVorro Bowman Jr. choosing UConn after previously having mutual interest with the Tar Heels.
That makes the Diggs recruitment even more intriguing.
THE BIGGER PICTURE FOR NORTH CAROLINA
UNC fans should be encouraged by Diggs including the Tar Heels, but there is still plenty of work to do.
The goal cannot simply be to appear on the final lists of elite recruits. Malone needs to turn those opportunities into official visits, serious conversations and, ultimately, commitments.
Blue-blood programs will always attract attention from five-star prospects, but North Carolina needs to make sure its involvement represents genuine interest rather than simply being another prestigious name on a recruit’s list.
For now, though, Diggs keeping UNC among his seven finalists is a positive development.
The Tar Heels have earned a seat at the table. The next challenge is convincing the five-star guard that Chapel Hill is where his college career should begin.
If Malone can secure a visit and make a strong impression, North Carolina could become a much more serious factor in a recruitment currently headlined by some of the biggest names in college basketball.
