UNC Announces New Basketball Signees

UNC has announced the signing of 6-7 forward Luke Maye to a national letter of intent and 6-3 guard Kenny Williams to a grant-in-aid agreement.

Here is the full press release from UNC.

Luke Maye of Huntersville, N.C., signed a National Letter of Intent and Kenny Williams of Midlothian, Va., signed a grant-in-aid agreement to attend the University of North Carolina and play on the men’s basketball team beginning in the 2015-16 academic year.

Maye, a 6-7 forward, attended William A. Hough High School in Cornelius, N.C. He is a two-time member of the Associated Press All-State team who scored 1,923 points and grabbed 1,369 rebounds in his prep career. He averaged 20.7 points, 15.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists as a senior in leading Hough to the second round of the 2015 state playoffs.

Maye was a three-time all-conference selection and twice won conference and district player of the year honors. He was named Most Valuable Player of the Capital Classic All-Star Game and won the three-point contest at the Florida Classic All-Star Game. Maye played for coaches Jason Grube and Justin Batts at Hough. His father, Mark, played quarterback at UNC from 1984-87.

“I am ecstatic to have Luke and his family join our basketball family,” says Carolina head coach Roy Williams. “He will make a great addition to our team. Luke has been extremely loyal to our university. He committed last fall, but did not sign scholarship papers in the early signing period because he was willing to see if we needed that scholarship. Every school in the country had the opportunity to continue to recruit him, but he remained loyal and signed his National Letter of Intent last week. It was one of the most pleasant recruiting experiences I have ever gone through. I was thrilled to call Luke and his parents and tell them that not only were we going to be able to pay for his education for three years, but for this coming year as well.”

Kenny Williams, a 6-4 guard, played for Coach Troy Manns at Lloyd C. Bird High School in Chesterfield, Va.  He earned 5A all-state honors in 2014 and 2015 and was a three-time All-Metro Richmond selection. Williams scored 1,603 career points and had 488 rebounds, 247 assists, 247 steals and shot 38 percent from three-point range.

He averaged 17.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.3 steals as a senior and holds the school record with 50 points in one game. Bird went 23-3 this past year and won the conference title for the second time. Williams was the conference player of the year in 2014 and earned Most Valuable Player honors this year at the ‘804 All-Star’ basketball game.

“Kenny is a young man we recruited last spring and summer, but he initially decided to go to VCU and we wished him well,” says Coach Williams. “He has a tremendous ability to shoot the ball, which will really help us. The first I time I watched him play he certainly impressed me with the way he made shots, but he also took three charges and showed an outstanding all-around game. He is an outstanding young man whom our players and coaches enjoyed spending time with when he came to visit our University a few weeks ago.

“I am so pleased that Luke and Kenny have chosen to come to school at Carolina. They and their families are going to add so much to our University, and our fans are going to enjoy watching them play and help our team.”

Of the two players, Kenny Williams probably has the best shot to contribute right away given his skill set is a major area of need. Assuming the Richmond, VA native's high three point percentage translates well to the next level, he undoubtedly can contribute coming off the bench.

There was some question as to whether Luke Maye would be a walk-on or on scholarship and if so for how long. Williams clarifies Maye's status saying he would be receiving one for all four years. The upcoming season was in question because UNC was still recruiting multiple elite prospects. Now that the 2015 class is finished, UNC has an open scholarship for Maye to use.