Throughout June and heading into the all-important July recruiting period, Jeff Goodman and Jeff Borzello will take a look at the summer checklists for the top 50 programs in college basketball, as revealed in Goodman's preseason ballot published in late May. Goodman and Borzello will show you each roster the way the coaches are looking at it, projecting graduation/NBA casualties and areas of need ahead of 2016-17. Below is the summer guide for the North Carolina Tar Heels:
Scholarship chart
Seniors (3): G Marcus Paige, PF Brice Johnson, C Joel James
Juniors (4) : C Kennedy Meeks, PG Nate Britt, F Isaiah Hicks, G Stilman White
Sophomores (3) : SG-SF Theo Pinson, PG Joel Berry II, F Justin Jackson
Freshmen (2) : SG Kenny Williams, PF Luke Maye
Available scholarships for 2016: four
Possible early entry losses after next season: Justin Jackson, Kennedy Meeks
Committed prospects for 2016 and beyond: G Jalek Felton (2017)
Biggest needs for 2016-17: Big men and shooting
Must-haves: PF Harry Giles (No. 1 in ESPN 100, CP3)
Targets: SF Jayson Tatum (No. 2, St. Louis Eagles), PF Harry Giles (No. 1, CP3), PG Dennis Smith Jr., (No. 4, Team Loaded), PG Kobi Simmons (No. 6, Atlanta Celtics), SG Malik Monk (No. 5, Wings Elite), PF Edrice "Bam" Adebayo (No. 8, Team Loaded), C Udoka Azubuike (No. 19, Georgia Stars), C Tony Bradley (No. 24, E1T1), SF Maverick Rowan (No. 30, E1T1), PG Frank Jackson (No. 20, Utah Prospects), C Jarrett Allen (No. 17, Texas PRO), SG Seventh Woods (No. 32, Carolina Wolves), PF Lauri Markkanen (Finland)
Summer scenario
The Tar Heels' recruiting efforts have been hampered by an ongoing NCAA investigation, and it will be interesting to see whether Roy Williams and UNC have clarity on the impact before the elite players in the next class make their decisions. This is a pivotal class for UNC, as the Tar Heels will lose Paige, Johnson and James and also could lose Jackson and maybe even Meeks. UNC is in the mix for most of the top 10 players, but the severity of the sanctions could determine whether the Tar Heels are able to land them.