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It’s time to start looking at 2019 now that point guard Jeremiah Francis has committed to North Carolina. Francis only just released his top 10 list last weekend before announcing his commitment on Twitter Friday afternoon. He is now UNC’s first 2019 commitment.
Asked about his decision, Francis says he wanted to be a part of the Tar Heel tradition. “Coach Roy (Williams), he really loves his point guards, he’s had some really good ones, and he really gets the most out of them. I just wanted to be added to that great list.”
You can really get a sense about his excitement to be a part of such a talented and historic team. Francis visited Chapel Hill in June, and he liked what he saw. "I enjoyed [UNC] so much when I was there,” the Ohio native told 270 Hoops in an exclusive interview.
TARHEELNATION
— Jeremiah Francis (@JFrancis30_) August 11, 2017
Blessed https://t.co/X9eNfvv6Bm?amp=1 pic.twitter.com/2LoidV4S6Q
It seemed like his plan was to release a list of top schools and see what happened, but when North Carolina offered him at the beginning of August, his mind became made up. "I was really shocked when [the UNC staff] told me I was the first guard to be offered," Francis said. "It feels like Coach Williams really wants me to come into the program and lead him to more victories and championships."
The 6-3, 190-pound point guard was actually a teammate of fellow Tar Heel commit Sterling Manley in high school, which is how Roy became aware of him in the first place. Manley will make his collegiate debut this season, and it should be great to see them reunite on the court at the Dean Smith Center.
Francis included Dayton, Florida State, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio State, Purdue, TCU, West Virginia, and Missouri in his top 10 list, but is now only thinking about the Tar Heels. "It just honestly feels great, a lot of people can't say that they are going to the University of North Carolina," Francis told 270 Hoops. "It's a special feeling really."
Congrats, Jeremiah! We can’t wait to see you on campus.