Roy Williams has already brought in a stellar recruiting class, today they added one final piece in Kerwin Walton. After a hectic three day commitment watch. Walton decided to play his college in Chapel Hill, despite having offers from Arizona, Minnesota, Creighton, Vanderbilt and Georgetown. Walton was offered a scholarship last September, and took an official visit the following month. Walton, the number 97 player in the 2020 class, joins Caleb Love, RJ Davis, Donovan “Puff” Johnson, Walker Kessler and Day’Ron Sharpe in what will be Roy William’s best class since 2007.
Even though there are three wing players in this recruiting class, Carolina is in dire need of improved play on the perimeter, and they get that in Walton. Last year Carolina shot an abysmal 30.4% from behind the three point, the worst under the Hall of Fame head coach. Only Leaky Black and Andrew Platek return as players with experience playing the wing, after graduations, NBA decisions and unexpected transfers left the roster somewhat in flux.
Walton is 6-5, and does a lot of things well for his size. While he’s not automatic from behind the three point line, that is the best part of his offensive arsenal. He also has the ability to put the ball on the floor, and drive the basket. He also has a reliable floater, which Carolina hasn’t had since Justin Jackson, who was a big part of the 2017 national championship team. Defensively he has quick feet, and moves very well laterally considering his size. He was recruited to be an off-ball player, and with all these different attributes he figures to help contribute right away.