Tokoto Targeting Top For ‘No-Fear Tar Heels’

UNC junior forward J.P. Tokoto may be one of the most explosive athletes in ACC basketball. With a new season nearly here, Tokoto says he’s been improving his jump shot in the hopes of providing a scoring lift for the Tar Heels.

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Nobody questions Tokoto’s big play ability. He runs the floor like a cheetah, glides to the rim like an eagle and is capable of slamming the ball home with seismic authority.

But this season, the man from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, is aiming to add another skill set to his arsenal – sharp-shooting.

“I feel great. I feel like I can knock anything down that’s in my range. I feel like I’ve extended it out to the three-point line. I feel a lot more comfortable working with Coach Davis [Hubert Davis]. Wait till the games roll around to see how I can implement it in the game,” Tokoto says.

With that said, UNC head coach Roy Williams has been quick to point out Tokoto’s bread and butter. Tokoto understands. He says he’s not losing sight of what makes him such a special talent on the basketball floor.

“One thing I’ve focused on is not forgetting other things I can do and do well. Like Coach would say, the first thing that comes to mind when you say J.P. Tokoto is not shooter, it’s dunker, rebounder and defender. While I was working on shooting, I was still doing those things and adding shooting as another weapon in the repertoire. I’m working on all aspects of my game,” Tokoto says.

Tokoto’s tenacious defense earned him a spot on the ACC All-Defensive Team in his sophomore season. His 55 steals led UNC’s roster.

This season, Tokoto says the sixth-ranked Tar Heels will need to provide more scoring help for preseason ACC Player of the Year Marcus Paige. With that kind of title, it’s easy to see why.

Opponents will do everything in their power to shut down UNC’s leading scorer. Who else will step up?

“We got lucky last year with teams not really expecting Marcus [Paige] to be that much of a scorer early on. Like any other team, they’re going to have scouting reports and film. They’re going to know who Marcus is. The more scoring help we can give from the wings and the big spot, the better we’ll be off,” Tokoto says.

Last year, Tokoto says outside of Paige, his teammates played passive on the offensive end. In order to accomplish their big dreams come tournament time, Tokoto knows the Tar Heels can’t be afraid of taking the shots.

“A lot of guys last year were more conscious of the shots they wanted to take. Marcus [Paige] had to pick up the slack. Guys were kind of afraid to take the shots. This year, if there’s more opportunities to score because of Marcus’ opportunities are being taken away by other teams, if we can capitalize, it will open Marcus’ scoring back up and make us that much better,” Tokoto says.

Tokoto finished last season in a flurry, scoring in double figures in seven of the last 10 games. He’s hoping to build on that momentum when the Tar Heels tip off their season Nov. 14 in the Smith Center against N.C. Central.

Last week, at ACC Media Day, the media picked the Tar Heels to finish second in the conference behind only Duke. Tokoto also likes UNC’s chances.

“We said last year we had the tools to be a great team. We had our great wins and our very bad losses. Last year, we still had the tools and it’s even better this year. It all comes down to how we implement it in the game, how hard we’re going to play and how mentally strong we’re going to be. Only time will tell,” Tokoto says.