JR Smith is a Tarheel

J.R. finally a Heel
By Jeff Goodman
Date: Aug 28, 2003

After taking nearly a month, J.R. Smith finally committed to UNC this afternoon, giving new coach Roy Williams a pair of elite recruits in the senior class.

The time was right for J.R.
After contemplating whether to commit to his dream school for the past month after a long-awaited scholarship offer had finally been tendered, St. Benedict's (N.J.) 6-5, 215-pound senior swingman J.R. Smith finally committed to North Carolina.

``I was ready, my family was ready, Jimmy (Salmon) was ready and Coach (Dan) Hurley was ready," Smith said. "It was a dream come true for me."

``I just wanted to finally get it over with," he added.

Smith initially called Tar Heels coach Roy Williams on Wednesday night, but the UNC head man was in Puerto Rico and returned the call at about 2 p.m. on Thursday afternoon.

``He spoke to Coach Williams while he was in Puerto Rico," Hurley said. "A couple of schools made it really hard on the kid, but going to Carolina was the reason he transferred here in the first place."

``He wanted to get his academics in order and be good enough to play at Carolina," added Hurley. "Now he's realized the goal he set for himself."

Smith, who gave up football when he left Lakewood High (N.J.) to transfer to St. Benedict's prior to last season, said that the holdup for the past few weeks was because he was debating on whether he'd receive more immediate playing time elsewhere. However, he felt that Chapel Hill was the place for him in the end.

``What it all boiled down to is that off the court, I knew I was going to be happy at Carolina," Smith added.

Smith, whose real name is Earl, averaged 17.8 points and five rebounds last season and really burst onto the scene more than a year ago at the ABCD Camp in New Jersey. Smith had scheduled an official visit to Pittsburgh for Sept. 5 and was slated to visit Chapel Hill a week later, but he didn't feel the need to take his official visits in order to make a decision after all.

This is a huge pickup for the UNC staff, especially after another elite recruit, forward Marvin Williams, committed to the Tar Heels earlier this summer. Now the Tar Heels will focus their efforts on landing point guard Shaun Livingston in case Raymond Felton opts to leave after this season for the NBA.
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http://northcarolina.theinsiders.com/2/173027.html

 

Roy has come back and is making up for lost time.

He has already brought back instant credibility on the recruiting trail for UNC. Now UNC won't just be one of the five schools on every big time recruits list - they will actually be under serious consideration.

It feels good to know that one 8-20 record will soon be a faded memory.

 

who?

 

Now I know these numbers have changed since Pre-Summer and will change even more by the time these kids step on campus, but sure is nice to see UNC have more recruits locked up at this time compared to having to settle for what's left except last years class.

ACC Class of 2004 Commitments
By Inside Carolina Staff
Date: Aug 28, 2003



Rankings are by Prep Stars (Pre-Summer '03)

No. Player Hgt Pos Home/School Signed

83 Cheyenne Moore 6-5 G South Kent (CT) Prep Clemson
8 DeMarcus Nelson 6-3 G Vallejo (Calif.) High Duke
43 David McClure 6-5 F Ridgefield (Conn.) Trinity Duke
36 James Gist 6-8 PF Wheaton (Md.) Maryland
11 Marvin Williams 6-8 G Bremerton (Wash.) High UNC
12 J.R. Smith 6-5 G/F St. Benedict's (N.J.) UNC
20 JamesOn Curry 6-2 G Mebane (N.C.) E. Alam. UNC
25 Cedric Simmons 6-9 F Shallotte (N.C.) West Bru NC State
94 Cameron Stanley 6-7 F Raleigh (N.C.) Millbrook Wake Forest
58 Sean Singletary 6-0 PG Philadelphia (PA) PC Virginia

 

JR Smith = Vince Carter

The Heels are gonna be loaded. Absolutely loaded.

If they pick up Shaun Livingston it fucking over for the ACC. Nobody will top that class.

 

While I agree with most of this. The one big thing that is still going to be a huge question mark would be the frontcourt.

 

Nice news considering you whiffed on another big man with Big Baby committing to LSU. I sure hope Smith can get academically eligible.

 

Haven't read where that is a concern at all. I mean we all had to get academically eligible for college. So without hearing of that as a question mark for him, other than your typical ABCers we should be fine.

 

It's coming for more than just ABC'ers

 

Are you too stupid to understand that Roy wasting these scholies when what is truly needed is a quality big man gives every indication Felton and McCants will be gone, gone, gone after next year?

And then you are back to two years ago with unproven freshmen and a glaring hole in the middle.

But hey, I'm sure Roy is breathing a sigh or relief that he filled need for ANOTHER wing player