Theo Pinson - UNC

Theo Pinson, a 6’6” small forward from Wesleyan Christian Academy (NC) became the latest recruit from the class of 2014 to make his college selection. In an announcement from his high school gym on Wednesday afternoon, Pinson selected North Carolina over Indiana and other suitors. With this commitment, Pinson becomes the third 5-star recruit in the class of 2014 to join the Tar Heels and will team with point guard Joel Berry and small forward Justin Jackson in the future. 

High School:

The Pinson name has been familiar in basketball circles for a few years now as it first popped up on UNC’s radar during a freshman season where Pinson averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds per game for Oak Ridge Military Academy. After helping Oak Ridge to a 35-6 record during his freshman year he transferred to Wesleyan Christian and led them to a 3A state title in North Carolina as a junior.

AAU:

On the AAU circuit, Pinson is a three year veteran of the 17U Nike EYBL and plays for the CP3 All-Stars. He follows in the footsteps of Reggie Bullock and PJ Hairston, both athletic wings that played for CP3 before committing to UNC. As a freshman while playing two divisions up, Scout.com had the following to say about Pinson:

“He is being touted as one of the contenders for the top spot in the 2014 class, and with good reason. Pinson is athletic, was making shots out to the three point line, and finishing with authority around the rim. Add in a tight handle, and Pinson was causing all sorts of problems for the defense.”

Last year, Pinson helped his CP3 team reach the semi-finals of the Peach Jam while averaging 16.4 points and 5.1 rebounds. This year, CP3 currently sits atop their division with an 11-2 record while he averages 13.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

Strengths:

Throughout his high school and AAU career, Pinson has always been known for his athleticism. He uses his speed and size to attack the basket and then his length and jumping ability to finish close to the basket. These attributes that Pinson uses on the offensive end, also help him excel on the defensive end. He currently is averaging two steals and one block per game and can hound a point guard up the court or lock down a guard or forward on the perimeter. Right now, Pinson is best known for his athletic abilities and defense.

Weaknesses:

Shooting. The one constant knock on Pinson relates to his outside shooting ability. Over the years, Pinson has displayed an errant jump-shot with misses going to the left and right of the rim, as well as going short and long. His form has shown progress over the past year and in two recent viewings an improved touch was noticeable. In February, Pinson put Lone Peak High, one of the top teams in the country in an early hole when he scored 12 first quarter points (which included several outside shots). Most recently, Pinson went 3-6 from three in the Dallas EYBL and also connected on several mid-range jump shots. Overall, Pinson is currently 9-28 (32%) from the three point line and will need to continue to show improvement from this range so that college defenders respect his jump shot.

UNC Tar Heels:

Roy Williams targeted the 2014 wing class early on in their high school tenure and the Tar Heel staff watched both Pinson and Jackson numerous times over the past three summers. While Pinson was offered early on, it looked as though Rashad Vaughn had moved to the top of the Tar Heel priority list with several Minnesota viewings in addition to a March visit to Chapel Hill. While Vaughn came close to committing, he decided to keep his recruitment open which allowed Pinson to commit. With the recent decision, it remains to be seen if Williams will target an additional shooting guard to team with Pinson, Jackson, and J.P. Tokoto on the wing for the 2014-15 season. This commitment keeps the top individual talent in the state of North Carolina at home and adds to an already impressive recruiting haul for the class of 2014.