UNC Basketball Recruiting: Early Wish List for Class of 2017

North Carolina should come into the 2016-17 season with one of the more talented teams in the country, but the future is uncertain unless the team can put together another quality recruiting class.

No matter what happens next year, projected frontcourt starters Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks will be gone, as will steady point guard Nate Britt. Justin Jackson could declare for the draft after considering leaving this offseason while both Joel Berry and Theo Pinson could also make the leap if their performance dictates it.

While the 2016 class features talented youngsters who can help next year and beyond, head coach Roy Williams still better find some impact players who are ready to play in 2017. This is especially true in the frontcourt, which could be left with only Tony Bradley and Luke Maye by that point.

Fortunately, the Tar Heels are in the hunt for a number of top prospects with plenty of time remaining to close the deal and get the necessary commitments. Although big names like Mohamed Bamba and Wendell Carter likely appear to be long shots, here is a look at some more realistic targets for the 2017 class.

Jalek Felton

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Jalek Felton is already considered part of the 2017 class and has been for some time.

He officially committed to the Tar Heels way back in December 2014, with his AAU coach Fred Cannon saying, "It's been a dream of his for a long time. It's all he's ever talked about," per ESPN's Jeff Borzello.

As Raymond Felton's nephew, this connection made a lot of sense, especially with the younger Felton having plenty of ability that could help this team win. He is currently considered the No. 28 overall player in 2017 and the No. 1 combo guard as a 6'2" player who can light up the scoreboard as well as almost anyone in the class.

Despite the high likelihood Felton does honor his commitment, nothing is set in stone until he officially signs his letter of intent, which he cannot do until next season. This could make UNC nervous with plenty of other teams interested in his services.

Last summer, Evan Daniels of Scout.com asked the guard about his commitment and received a honest answer.

"It’s still open," Felton said. "I just verbally committed, but it’s still open. ...I talked to Kentucky two nights ago and then South Carolina, I talked to them"

Even after getting the pledge it was looking for, the coaching staff better stay on Felton to make sure he really does end up a part of the 2017 class at UNC.

Mitchell Robinson

Few players in the 2017 class have risen in the rankings as fast as Mitchell Robinson. The former Texas A&M commit turned heads with his defensive play in May, causing 247Sports' Jerry Meyer to provide some heavy praise, per Kevin Flaherty of 247Sports:

"

He has great length as a 7-footer with very long arms, he has great hands and he’s mobile. He looked like Randy Moss on one play running down the court, snagging a ball and finishing with his inside hand on a layup. He has great upside.

You can expect him to be in the 247Sports Top 10 after this weekend.

"

The site's director of basketball scouting kept his word and put Robinson No. 7 overall and the best center in the country, moving his composite ranking to No. 15.

Robinson is still developing his offensive game, but as a 7-footer who can run the floor with good hands, he could be a star at the college level. This is especially true at North Carolina, which can use him in the fast-paced attack and give him plenty of opportunities for easy baskets.

Add in his unique ability as a shot-blocker, and this could be a perfect fit for the Tar Heels.

Flaherty noted LSU and North Carolina are the two most in contact with the young center, although he is also hoping to hear from Kentucky. The recruitment will likely only get tougher as more people see what Robinson can do, but he will be worth the time.

Kevin Knox

Kevin Knox will reportedly trim his list of schools down after the Peach Jam in July, but he is "wide open" until then, per SNY.tv (h/t Zagsblog).

However, he has already spoken to some of the best coaches in college basketball, earning in-home visits from North Carolina, Duke, Villanova, Florida State and Kentucky, per Andrew Slater of 247Sports.

As one of the best players in the country, this type of attention shouldn't be surprising. Knox is a 6'8" wing with an advanced scoring skill set that allows him to get points from anywhere on the floor. He can stretch defenses out with his outside shooting or attack the basket with his impressive athleticism.

Adding in the versatility to play either forward position, Knox would clearly be a huge part of North Carolina's offense if he were to join the team. However, he will remain a sought-after asset until he signs his letter of intent.

P.J. Washington

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Like Knox, P.J. Washington is a versatile prospect who can help a team in a lot of ways.

The 6'7" player is usually listed as a power forward, and although undersized, has the strength and athleticism necessary to succeed in the post. He attacks the basket hard with the ball and is more than capable of finishing no matter who is in his path.

As he continues to develop his ball-handling and jump shot, he could potentially move to small forward down the line.

The Texas native is feeling pressure to end up with the Longhorns, but North Carolina is still very much alive in this race, as he recently visited Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

"It was great," Washington said, per Kevin Ryan of 247Sports. "I got to see coach Roy (Williams) and the facilities on campus and the dorms."

Besides UNC and Texas, North Carolina State, Arizona and Kentucky are also in contention for Washington, which will keep things interesting going forward.

Jeremiah Tilmon

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

North Carolina has targeted a lot of big men in this cycle, and Jeremiah Tilmon is yet another quality option.

The 6'10" center is an explosive athlete with the quickness to beat opponents down the court and finish above the rim. While he still needs a lot of work on the offensive end and isn't known to create his own shot, he does have the ability to knock down a 10-foot jumper and has the talent necessary to improve in time.

Tilmon is also a major threat on the defensive end where he can block and alter shots consistently while remaining an above-average rebounder. In short, he is the type of frontcourt prospect Williams and his staff usually love to utilize.

While his recruitment is still developing, the latest crystal ball projections on 247Sports show an even battle between UNC and Illinois, his hometown school. With his upside and potential fit, Tilmon is worth monitoring as the year progresses.

Andrew Platek

Those who look at just rankings probably won't be too excited about the possibility of landing Andrew Platek, listed as the No. 174 player in the 2017 class, per 247Sports. A team with the prestige of North Carolina rarely even entertains the thought of bringing in a 3-star considered just the 42nd-best shooting guard in the country.

However, there is a reason he has scholarship offers from North Carolina, Stanford, Indiana, Miami and others, as he explained on SNY.tv.

Platek explained what it was like getting an offer from UNC, per Ross Martin of 247Sports:

"

(Coach Williams) called me on the phone after the Indy (EYBL). I was at school. He did a quick call because he had something to do that night. He offered me a scholarship after telling me why --- he said he liked my toughness and my ability to make shots. He said he could really see me playing for UNC and having an impact right away.

"

He also noted a reason he was being recruited was his ability to hit outside shots, an area where North Carolina struggled last season and likely won't improve much in 2016-17. Considering Platek shot 54.1 percent from three-point range while averaging 14.6 points per game during the Nike EYBL sessions, he can certainly be useful.

This is more than just a diamond in the rough. Platek is a high-level guard who will be a key part of someone's roster at the next level. UNC just better hope he ends up in Chapel Hill.

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