Kerwin Walton,........Well??.................................................

[FranktheHeel]

Another reason I like adding Walton is that he is another shooter like Puff who doesn't need the ball in his hands to make an impact, he’s shown that he’s able to get his by working off the ball in the flow of an offense on very good HS and AAU teams. Yes, it usually takes freshman some time to learn our freelance offense and it's spacing, but I think Walton having shown to be an outside threat without being ball dominant already should bode well for us and even his own growth. He should be on the receiving end of a lot of kick-outs from our bigs off of offensive rebounds and when defenses double down on them.

Also, adding a guy like Walton bodes well for our next few classes as he will be a guy that can fit in well with others no matter how the classes unfold and will continue to give us depth at the 2 and 3 for the next few years.

 

[Archer2]

Another reason I like adding Walton is that he is another shooter like Puff who doesn't need the ball in his hands to make an impact, he’s shown that he’s able to get his by working off the ball in the flow of an offense on very good HS and AAU teams. Yes, it usually takes freshman some time to learn our freelance offense and it's spacing, but I think Walton having shown to be an outside threat without being ball dominant already should bode well for us and even his own growth. He should be on the receiving end of a lot of kick-outs from our bigs off of offensive rebounds and when defenses double down on them.

Also, adding a guy like Walton bodes well for our next few classes as he will be a guy that can fit in well with others no matter how the classes unfold and will continue to give us depth at the 2 and 3 for the next few years.

I agree.

 

[Tom79]

Got to have the "core". Multi-year guys are important. Kerwin will be very good as a Tar Heel.

 

[alabamaheel]

I always hesitate building up freshmen, especially one's that a ranked near 100. Why can't Puff play SG next year? Walton has never shot 3's at the college 3 point line and that will be a factor for him and other freshmen next season.

I’ll tell you this though. Look at his stance. It’s very wide, which means he has a strong upper body. That can do wonders at the college level.

 

[trollbaby]

It's times like this that this board really misses Mike Irby.

He would have kept this thread balanced; maybe teased us with an inside tidbit or two.
He would have chastised those who ran afoul of the rules.
He would have cleaned up some messes.
And in the end, he would be very happy that Kerwin Walton chose to become a Tar Heel.
God luv ya Mike!!

Every time I see a thread going south, I’m thinking, don’t make me call Irby on you! I sure miss him!

 

[TPFKAPFS]

Both Platek and Walton will have a chance to either increase or decrease their PT. It will depend on how fast KW picks up the O and whether either one proves he can be a reliable defender on the ball AND contribute to team D. AP will get the first chance since UNC rewards longevity, but Ol' Roy's hook will be quicker than usual due to this past year's debacle! We have heard the same statement for 10 years about one player or another and it goes a little something like this..."If player X plays significant minutes we are going to suck!" Well, look back and count how many times that has actually been true versus how many times the player actually stepped up! (Bird says, Hi!) So, I say if AP plays significant minutes, it will mean he has stepped up and UNC will be soaring!

 

[xtarheelx]

CONGRATS YOUNG MAN! this dude is special. luke maye type sleeper and further along than luke maye at this point.

 

[dadika13]

This was fun to read back through. @imajericho - I'll take that apology anytime man.

This thread:

 

[Archer2]

He’s certainly been the sleeper in our ‘20 class. Let’s hope he sticks around a while.

 

[heelmanwilm]

So many examples going back through the years of sure fire stars fizzling and the guy you least expect doing well. I remember my Econ teacher stopping class to announce Curtis hunter had signed to play at unc and the place went bonkers.

 

[tarheel0910]

This was fun to read back through. @imajericho - I'll take that apology anytime man.

This thread:

And of course it ended up turning into a Platek thread.

ETA: a special shout out to @xtarheelx for finding an old thread instead of creating a new one.

 

[Ozheelfan]

CONGRATS YOUNG MAN! this dude is special. luke maye type sleeper and further along than luke maye at this point.

to quote @dadika13 :
"There is only one Luke Maye, there is only one Luke May, there is only one Luke Maye.........

I don't say this to be snarky, just some fun.... but it's great to see Roy picking out another sleeper.

 

[gauchoheel]

to quote @dadika13 :
"There is only one Luke Maye, there is only one Luke May, there is only one Luke Maye.........

I don't say this to be snarky, just some fun.... but it's great to see Roy picking out another sleeper.

And Maye didn't do anything really until the end of his sophomore year...

I hope Walton is around a few years. He's not particularly athletic for the ACC seemingly, let alone the NBA, but the league sure does love itself some lights out shooting.

 

[tarheel0910]

And Maye didn't do anything really until the end of his sophomore year...

I hope Walton is around a few years. He's not particularly athletic for the ACC seemingly, let alone the NBA, but the league sure does love itself some lights out shooting.

He keeps shooting the way he's shooting and keeps improving on D, then we'll be lucky to have him for three years.

 

[xtarheelx]

I can see KW sucking the life out of blue blood fans with a last second shot

he needs a nickname. teammates give him one yet ?

 

[TarHeelMark]

K3RWIN has been a fantastic surprise for this season. And he's got the best hair on the team!

The Fro Knows... how to fill up that basket.

 

[imajericho]

Wait what am I supposed to be apologizing for?

 

[dadika13]

to quote @dadika13 :
"There is only one Luke Maye, there is only one Luke May, there is only one Luke Maye.........

I don't say this to be snarky, just some fun.... but it's great to see Roy picking out another sleeper.

 

[dadika13]

But also - why are we comparing Kerwin to Luke? I see very little similarities.

Luke was a pretty under recruited 3 star who came here as a walk on and didn't contribute at all his freshman season and limited in his sophomore season. I'd argue he was ranked properly and worked his absolute butt off his first two seasons to develop into the player he became.

Kerwin was simply ranked too low, which happens with guys in every class. He has a skill that is immediately transferrable to the ACC level and he's improving other facets simply by getting more experience.

I don't see much similarity between them.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

I knew we had something special when Kerwin's hair beat Coby's 1 on 1!

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Despite earlier disagreements, I suspect we are all really happy to have Kerwin on the team.

He may not be a superstar, but I'm pretty sure we'd have several more losses without his shooting opening things up.

I said previously that he reminds me of Leslie McDonald. I'll now revise that to he reminds me of Leslie McDonald with a better outside shot. As a freshman, Leslie was maybe a bit better on D and driving to the rim, but both are/were smooth, under-control players who are outside threats you can't ignore.

 

[Archer2]

Both happened to be 3* recruits who could shoot. Other than that, I don’t see too much commonality. Luke had an incredible work ethic which reaped dividends, on and off the court. He was also a very good rebounder, especially for a guy who ”has short arms and isn’t overly athletic”, which was the book on him coming in. Kerwin has been a pleasant surprise, I just hope his production continues.

 

[dadika13]

Both happened to be 3* recruits who could shoot. Other than that, I don’t see too much commonality. Luke had an incredible work ethic which reaped dividends, on and off the court. He was also a very good rebounder, especially for a guy who ”has short arms and isn’t overly athletic”, which was the book on him coming in. Kerwin has been a pleasant surprise, I just hope his production continues.

Kerwin was a 4 star on every recruiting site that I'm familiar with.

He just should have been closer to the 50s. Him and Puff should have been ranked in each other's spots. But again, this happens every year...there are like 75 4 star kids and putting them in the right order is challenging. Kerwin had offers from Arizona, UNC, Baylor, Kansas, Texas, etc. etc. Luke did not.

 

[gunslingerdick]

I don't have fond memories of Leslie McDonald.

 

[Tarheel75]

Both happened to be 3* recruits who could shoot. Other than that, I don’t see too much commonality. Luke had an incredible work ethic which reaped dividends, on and off the court. He was also a very good rebounder, especially for a guy who ”has short arms and isn’t overly athletic”, which was the book on him coming in. Kerwin has been a pleasant surprise, I just hope his production continues.

Archer, dadika is right about Kerwin's star rating, he was a 4 star and had some major program offers. Again, as he mentions, I just can't see them as legitimate comparisons, even though they both contribute(d) on a major level for us. If programs had the benefit of hindsight now, his recruitment would have been a major battle would you not agree?

 

[TPFKAPFS]

These days even recruiting analysts get blinded by flash. They value athleticism and measurables over skill, coachability, or work ethic! For a kid like Kerwin, this means he will always be rated lower than he deserves. In this case, Kerwin found the perfect coach and staff!

 

[gunslingerdick]

These days even recruiting analysts get blinded by flash. They value athleticism and measurables over skill, coachability, or work ethic! For a kid like Kerwin, this means he will always be rated lower than he deserves. In this case, Kerwin found the perfect coach and staff!

100% accurate. NBA GMs are the same. That’s why many skills aren’t nearly as present in the NBA these days. Sure, everyone can shoot from half court but they can’t set a screen or box out correctly. And don’t even get me started on soft skills.

 

[Steat]

If Leaky can become a defensive stopper in his senior year, do you think he has a chance to get drafted into the second round of the NBA?

 

[vikandpirate4christ]

Steat, I don’t see it. I wish the kid the very best, but I just can’t see him being drafted

 

[TPFKAPFS]

NBA does put a value on someone who has an elite skill. If he can prove to be a Defensive stopper with his length, a team might take a free agent flyer on him. They have to do something to combat the wing scorers that are taking over! And shooters seem to get taller every day!

 

[IDUNK4HEELS]

The Silent Assassin’s shot reminds me of Al Wood and Wayne Ellington’s stroke from the outside.

 

[Steat]

NBA does put a value on someone who has an elite skill. If he can prove to be a Defensive stopper with his length, a team might take a free agent flyer on him. They have to do something to combat the wing scorers that are taking over! And shooters seem to get taller every day!

I have to agree with you. UNC has had a couple of players to stick around in the NBA for a few years mainly because of their defense. Dudley Bradley comes to mind.

 

[Sk1310]

The Silent Assassin’s shot reminds me of Al Wood and Wayne Ellington’s stroke from the outside.

Kerwins shot is like a clone of Klay Thompsons IMO

 

[Ozheelfan]

Yup.... I didn't remember it correctly!

And I think the only reason for the comparison is the sheer joy we as fans get in seeing underrated players who are able to step up and perform for the Heels.

We'd like them all to do it.... I'm still waiting for Justin Watts to have a reliable outside shot, or for Mike Copeland to post a double double.... or, based on the last two games I'm now on the edge of my seat waiting for the scoring explosion from Creighton Lebo..... ok, I'll stop there.

 

[gauchoheel]

If Leaky can become a defensive stopper in his senior year, do you think he has a chance to get drafted into the second round of the NBA?

Not if he can't score. Even defensive stoppers in the NBA were usually very good on offense in college.

 

[Heelicious]

Not if he can't score. Even defensive stoppers in the NBA were usually very good on offense in college.

Could Leaky become a Theo Pinson-type guy? Pinson was a bit better of a scorer, and was a better overall Swiss Army Knife, stat stuffer than Leaky. And Pinson seemed smarter at basketball IQ, had a higher motor, etc.

So, maybe not a good comparison, but Theo has done pretty well in the NBA, at least for a while, right?

 

[Steat]

Not if he can't score. Even defensive stoppers in the NBA were usually very good on offense in college.

I don't know how far you go back, but former Tar Heels (Dudley Bradley and George Lynch) were not good offensive players in college and had decent pro careers.

1986: Bradley Breaks Bank - YouTube
Dudley Bradley Steal vs NC State January 17, 1979 - YouTube

 

[Steat]

Could Leaky become a Theo Pinson-type guy? Pinson was a bit better of a scorer, and was a better overall Swiss Army Knife, stat stuffer than Leaky. And Pinson seemed smarter at basketball IQ, had a higher motor, etc.

So, maybe not a good comparison, but Theo has done pretty well in the NBA, at least for a while, right?

I think Leaky's only chance is to become a defensive specialist off the bench occasionally scoring 8-10pts in a game.

 

[uncboy10]

If Leaky could just get the ball to go in the damn basket he could have a career in the nba. He’s obviously not very explosive but his length makes it easy for him to get shots off over just about anyone. I’ve said it a million times but if he could perfect that running floater from about 6-8 feet he would be almost unstoppable on offense. How many guys are quick enough to get in position AND have the length to contest or block his shot in that scenario? Not many. He seems to get one or two looks like that every game but they almost never drop.

Also, the pros use PED’s. Just give him a few cycles of whatever Lebron and Giannis are on.

 

[Bubspub88]

I don't know how far you go back, but former Tar Heels (Dudley Bradley and George Lynch) were not good offensive players in college and had decent pro careers.

1986: Bradley Breaks Bank - YouTube
Dudley Bradley Steal vs NC State January 17, 1979 - YouTube

I was fortunate enough to be at that game in Reynolds. I have never heard a crowd go from blowing the roof off to dead quiet that quickly.