With the season now at an end, it is time for that all-time fun job of grading the classes. First up is the freshman class.
Caleb Wilson
When it comes to freshmen, sometimes you get nothing, sometimes you get something, and sometimes you get Caleb Wilson. Wilson was a once in a lifetime player for UNC — probably the best freshman and easily the best one-and-done to play for the Tar Heels. We named Wilson UNC’s freshman of the year and team MVP, and it wasn’t really even close (sorry Henri, you did give a valiant
effort). Wilson, who was the best dunker in college this past season, led North Carolina in points per game, rebounds per game, steals (both per game and total), blocks per game, and free throws (both made and attempted). He finished second on the team — and may well have wound up first had he played a complete season — in field goals (made, attempted, and percentage), total rebounds (though tied for first on offensive rebounds), total blocks, and assists per game. The only negative to his season was the injury that cost him the end of it. Rare does a player like this come along; thank you for the memories and good luck in the NBA.
Grade: A+. If not for the injury this would’ve been an A+++.
Dennis Dixon
Dixon had a more typical freshman year, starting on the bench before eventually taking over as a starter for the Tar Heels. Dixon led the team in total assists and free throw percentage, while also finishing second in assists per game, made three pointers, and three-point percentage. Dixon earned our most improved and best bench player honors as he became a guiding force that helped stabilize the team as the ACC season started while also hitting clutch shots down the stretch and earning several POGs to end the season. Dixon is at the top of the list of guys any new coach should definitely consider trying to retain for next years team.
Grade: A-. Solid season, lots to grow upon, good foundation for the future.
Isaiah Denis
Denis did not have a great freshman year. The combo guard from Charlotte entered the season coming off an injury and never really got into Hubert Davis’s rotation, playing in just 10 games this season and often when said game was already over. Denis did show promise though, hitting half of his eight three point attempts. The biggest question for Denis is whether he will stick around next season with a new coaching staff coming in, or if he will look to develop somewhere else where he might get some more playing time (maybe his hometown Charlotte, who just hired his position coach Marcus Paige?)
Grade: Incomplete. I really don’t feel like I can fairly grade a kid who hardly got any opportunities this season to do anything.
How do you think the freshmen did this year? Let us know in the comments below.
