Roy Williams Gives Comments on UNC's Incoming Graduate Transfers

Prospects for next season’s UNC men’s basketball team got much brighter in the last couple of weeks, as head coach Roy Williams was able to secure the commitments of highly-touted freshmen guards Cole Anthony and Anthony Harris.

On top of that, however, Williams received word that graduate transfers Christian Keeling and Justin Pierce would also join the Tar Heels for their final year of eligibility.

“We’re very excited to have Christian and Justin join our program,” Williams said. “They are both outstanding students who can be tremendous additions to our team.”

With the Tar Heels losing each of their top five scorers from last season, these new additions will be critical to the team’s success next season.

Christian Keeling arrives at UNC for this season after a standout career at Charleston Southern. (Photo via CSU Athletics)

Keeling is a 6-foot-4-inch guard who previously played at Charleston Southern and averaged 17.9 points per game for the Buccaneers over the last three seasons after arriving as the 2016 Georgia High School Player of the Year.

He was also a 2019 First Team All-Big South Conference selection.

“We are ecstatic to have Christian join our team,” Williams said. “He’s had a tremendously successful career at Charleston Southern. Coach Barclay Radebaugh is extremely positive in everything he has told us about Christian, especially what a great kid he is and how he will help us. Coach Radebaugh was very helpful throughout this process.

“Christian is a perimeter player who gives us scoring and experience,” the coach added. “He’s also one of the nicest young men I’ve ever had the opportunity to recruit. He is close friends with [Tar Heel senior and fellow Georgia native] Brandon Robinson, who speaks highly of him. Christian is a fun guy who I expect great things from.”

What Keeling is expected to bring to UNC’s backcourt, Pierce is hoping to bring to the Tar Heel frontcourt.

Justin Pierce hopes to fill the void in the Tar Heel frontcourt left by Luke Maye’s graduation. (Photo via William and Mary Athletics)

The 6-foot-7-inch forward who arrives in Chapel Hill after three years at William and Mary brings a similar skill set to the one that Luke Maye brought to the table over the last few years.

Pierce averaged 14.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists last season for William and Mary, while playing for head coach Tony Shaver–a former Tar Heel himself back in the 1970’s.

His averages were good enough to rank third in the Colonial Athletic Association in rebounding, fifth in assists and 15th in scoring.

While his inside-outside ability will bring comparison to Maye, so too should his off-the-court interests as one of the factors that led to Pierce choosing UNC over Michigan and Notre Dame was the opportunity to join the school’s business program–which Maye himself was a part of.

“Justin has done a great job in the classroom and is looking forward to studying in our business program at Carolina,” Williams said. “He is a versatile player who can play multiple positions. The stats show he did a fantastic job rebounding the ball and he can shoot the three. He has the ability to make plays for other people. Justin comes from a wonderful family whose parents both played collegiately at Northwestern.”

Photo via Todd Melet

Roy Williams Gives Comments on UNC’s Incoming Graduate Transfers

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