Graduate transfer Justin Pierce commits to North Carolina

ByEVAN DANIELS 18 minutes ago

Grad Transfer

William & Mary graduate transfer Justin Pierce has verbally committed to North Carolina, he told 247Sports.

“I think the biggest thing for me was the opportunity they have for someone of my skill set,” Pierce said. “They wanted some experience on the wing, obviously losing Cameron Johnson, Luke Maye, Nassir Little, guys that are similar position as me.”

“It’s a great opportunity for me to play at such a prestigious basketball school,” he added. “That was one of the coolest things for me. I get to put on that jersey next year and be a part of the North Carolina family.”

Pierce spent his last three seasons at William & Mary and after a head coaching change opted to explore the transfer market. He eventually narrowed his list of schools to UNC, Michigan and Notre Dame.

“This was not only an on-the-court-decision,” Pierce added. “Obviously I’ll be competing at an extremely high-level next year, but off the court I get to earn my MBA from a top 10 graduate school in the country but also I want to work in the NBA front office once my playing career ends and they have more connections than anybody. This was a very strategic decision and I felt really comfortable going there.”

Pierce, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward, saved his official to North Carolina for last, visiting them this past Sunday and Monday.

“I told myself I wasn’t going to commit until a few days after the visit because everyone goes on every visit and they feel like that’s where you need to go,” Pierce explained. “You need a few days to get away from it and collect your thoughts and make a decision.

“Yesterday I decided it’s a great opportunity,” he added. “They need somebody like me, so I made the decision yesterday. It was a tough decision. It was hard compared to three years ago when I committed out of high school — it was super hard to say no to some of these schools because they are all amazing opportunities.”

Pierce said he was impressed with North Carolina’s prestige and past success, and mentioned their “winning culture” as the biggest reason he wanted to be a Tar Heel for his final collegiate season.

“Coach Williams has won three national titles there in his time,” Pierce said. “In the last four years, I think they’ve been a one seed three times and a two seed the other year. I’ve never made the NCAA Tournament. Not only to be in the position to make the NCAA Tournament, but compete at the highest level and hopefully make a deep run into March and then play in the ACC and play in the Duke/Carolina rivalry, playing on the biggest stage for my last year of college basketball is just something that I couldn’t pass up.”

Final Spot Open

As a junior at William & Mary, Pierce impacted the game across the board, averaging 14.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and just over four assists a game. Pierce thinks he can impact the Tar Heels with his versatility and experience.

“I can score the ball, shoot the ball obviously, but I pride myself on rebounding the basketball,” Pierce said. “I think I’m one of the best rebounding wings in the country and I love to share the ball as well. I think I averaged over four assists a game last year and I love to move the ball and get other guys shots as well. That’s what I think is most admirable about my game because if my shot isn’t going in, I can still make a big impact and that’s what Coach Williams liked about my game.”

The Tar Heels have had quite the recruiting success over the past two weeks. This past weekend UNC picked up a commitment from Charleston Southern transfer guard Christian Keeling. The Tar Heels also added pledges from five-star guard Cole Anthony and four-star guard Anthony Harris to what now makes up the No. 6 recruiting class in the country.