Scholarships After Dark: UNC offers 5-star SG Jaden Springer

Roy Williams is at it again. Last night he offered 2020 shooting guard Jaden Springer a scholarship to join the Heels. Springer announced the offer via Twitter later in the evening. The offer is another example of what we at Tar Heel Blog affectionately call “Scholarships After Dark” from the UNC coaching staff.

Springer, listed as a 6-4, 195 pound shooting guard, currently plays his high school ball at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. That school should sound familiar to UNC fans. Incoming McDonald’s All-American Armando Bacot played there this past season, as did former UNC recruiting targets Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Josh Green.

It’s safe to say that the coaching staff is familiar with Springer’s game. A spring offer prior to his senior year follows a familiar pattern for previous recruiting cycles. Simply put, it means UNC highly covets the young man’s skills and didn’t want to wait until the summer circuit to extend an offer.

Springer was vital to IMG Academy recently winning the GEICO High School National Championship. Sensational in all three games, he finished the title game with 12 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds. Enjoy this highlight from the game — a Bacot block leading to a Springer three-pointer.

Don’t let the recent Florida connection fool you. The consensus 5-star prospect is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. As he has done so often, Roy is clearly looking to make in-state kids a priority in the recruiting process. Springer is ranked as the #11 prospect by ESPN and Rivals, and #18 by 247 Sports. The 247 Sports Composite rankings list him as the #12 overall recruit.

Built as a traditional shooting guard (but could likely play either wing in UNC’s system), Springer is a score-first perimeter threat and has potential to be a three level scorer at the college level. With an ability to play above the rim, aggression and attacking the basket is not a problem for the rising senior. That skillset has oddly been an asset that UNC has largely lacked on the wing for the better part of a decade. A top-tier mid-range game keeps defenses honest and an evolving three-point shot would give the Heels some much needed help at a position that is currently projected to be lacking entering the 2020 season. That same aggression and athleticism when attacking the rim could also make him a threat as a perimeter rebounder.

Springer is just the seventh recruit to receive an offer from the 2020 class, and the first true shooting guard. That alone emphasizes the importance the coaching staff has placed on Springer. Leaky Black and Andrew Platek are the only current Tar Heels who could potentially fill in at the “2” spot for the 2020-21 season. Center Day’Ron Sharpe is the only recruit to verbally commit to UNC in the class of 2020.