Player Profile: Luke Maye

Luke Maye - Freshman, PF, 6-9, 230 lbs

2014-15 Stats: First College Season

What Happened Last Season

Luke Maye finished up a solid high school career at Hough High School in Charlotte. For the season he averaged 20.7 ppg, 14.2 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 2.8 apg. He hit 48% of his shots and 43% from three. Maye concluded his high school career playing in the East-West game where he scored 15 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. He is the son of former Tar Heel QB Mark Maye and committed to UNC last November.

Season Outlook

Maye brings a big man's body but an outside shooting touch. He hit 43% of his threes during his senior season and doesn't fit the traditional mold of a back to the basket big man. He is also coming onto a team with plenty of depth in the frontcourt. UNC has two deep at the two post positions with juniors and seniors. That doesn't bode well for Maye getting much playing time beyond the early portion of the season when Roy Williams tends to go deep on the bench.

It also stands to reason Maye might be a bit of a project given the evaluation of him coming out of high school. He was not a heavily recruited player but that doesn't mean he won't eventually bring something to the table. Assuming he adjusts to the college game in terms of his perimeter shooting, he might be able to contribute at some point. Given the scarce minutes available that probably won't be this season.

Still, the UNC big men have to show they can play defense effectively without inducing foul trouble. In that respect having another big body could be helpful. If it becomes necessary to steal a couple of minutes in certain games, Maye will see some time on the court. His presence in practice as a face up and perimeter shooting big should also give Brice Johnson and Isaiah Hicks plenty of opportunity to work on that aspect of their individual defense.