UNC Will Face Former Recruit with UNC Ties in Sweet 16

There were ties to UNC but he chose Alabama.

The Sweet 16 is set, and North Carolina will play against Alabama on Thursday night. The two teams played last season, with the Crimson Tide winning after four overtimes. It was an instant classic and a game that most UNC fans want to forget. In this season’s tournament matchup, Alabama has someone who the Tar Heels wanted.

North Carolina to Tuscaloosa

Alabama forward Jarin Stevenson was highly recruited out of high school. Originally a member of the 2024 class, he would reclassify to 2023. After making the move to skip his senior year of high school, 247Sports ranked him as the #50 player in the country.

Wild Recruitment

Stevenson is from Pittsboro, North Carolina, and went to Seaforth High School. His mother, Nicole, played at UNC from 1995 to 1998. Stevenson took multiple visits to Chapel Hill, and the Tar Heels were in it until the end. There was a period where he was seen as a lock to commit to North Carolina. Everything changed late in the recruiting cycle. Stevenson would receive an offer from Alabama on May 10th, 2023. He would then commit a little over a month later, on June 21st.

Freshman Season

Thus far, Stevenson is coming off the bench but playing well with the Crimson Tide. Playing 16.6 minutes per game, he is averaging 5.2 points and 2.6 rebounds. Listed at 6’11, he has also shown the ability to step outside and shoot, at almost 30% from three.

Who will come out on top Thursday night?

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