Bubba Cunningham announced that all parties believe it’s in the best interest of UNC for Hatchell to step down. Following an almost three-week review of the UNC women’s basketball program, the University of North Carolina announced Thursday night that head coach Sylvia Hatchell resigned after agreeing, according to AD Bubba Cunningham, that it was in the best interest of her players. The commissioned review found credibility in the allegations that Hatchell made racially insensitive remarks and also put pressure on players to play injured. Twenty-eight interviews of players and personnel were conducted, and the Charlotte-based firm Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein found “widespread support” that Hatchell committed the following transgressions. From UNC’s press release: 1. Hatchell made comments that were racially insensitive, and when confronted by players and staff did not respond in a timely or appropriate manner. The review concluded that Hatchell is not viewed as a racist, but her comments and subsequent response caused many in the program to believe she lacked awareness and appreciation for the effect her remarks had on those who heard them. 2. Players and medical staff expressed frustration with perceived and undue influence from Hatchell regarding medical issues and pressure to play. Despite Hatchell’s questioning of player care, status and readiness, the medical staff did not surrender to pressure to clear players before they were medically ready. 3. There has been a breakdown of connectivity between the players and Hatchell. Hatchell also released the following statement regarding her resignation: “It has been the great honor and privilege of my life to coach at the University of North Carolina. I want to thank John Swofford for giving me my dream job 33 years ago. The University will always hold a special place in my heart. The game of basketball has given me so much, but now it is time for me to step away. This is an idea I have been contemplating since my cure from leukemia. This year, after defeating Notre Dame, the top-ranked team in the country, and returning to the NCAA Tournament, our program is once again headed in the right direction and ready for new leadership. Wonderful UNC memories remain — none more special than our 1994 national championship, three Elite 8s and nine ACC championships. I’ve been fortunate to coach more than 200 young women, and it has been a joy to see them grow into successful teachers, doctors, lawyers, mothers, high school and college basketball coaches, and WNBA players. The opportunity to play a small role in their success is the greatest joy of coaching-- and of my life. I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to my assistant coaches and staff for their loyalty and support. They are remarkably talented and accomplished individuals who helped pave the way for our success as a nationally-acclaimed program. The championships we won would not have been possible without their contributions. While this is a bittersweet day, my faith remains strong. After the fight of my life with leukemia, I count every day as a blessing. I am grateful that God granted me more days on this earth to continue my calling as a coach. I have always believed that we are blessed so we can bless others. My goal has been to plant enough seeds to reap a good harvest. Today, I can truly say that my harvest has been abundant. Now, I will turn my attention to supporting the University in different ways. I will continue to raise money for the Lineberger Cancer Center, to establish a ministry of exercise and recovery for cancer patients and to push for equal facilities and treatment for women’s athletics. I currently have a proposal pending before the NCAA Gender-Equity Task Force to increase the number of former female basketball players in coaching. I will forever love the University of North Carolina. I am Sylvia Hatchell, and I am a Tar Heel.”

Two graduate transfers and a high school senior will officially visit UNC next week By now you’ve probably seen the news. In a flurry of recruiting activity, UNC has scheduled official visits with a trio of players for next week. With a massive void on the perimeter, all three players would help fill the void left by Coby White, Kenny Williams, Cameron Johnson, and Nassir Little. We’ll give you a quick down and dirty on potential future Heels and how they could fit into next season. Akil will still cover football and basketball recruiting tomorrow in our weekly recap. Christian Keeling Shooting Guard, 6-4, 175Charleston Southern (Graduate Transfer) The shooting guard from the Big South has been a hot commodity. Currently ranked as ESPN’s #7 overall transfer on the market, Keeling would bring a scoring and rebounding threat on the wing. He averaged 18.7 points and 6.9 rebounds last season, but has been an impact player since he arrived in Charleston. For his career, Keeling has averaged 17.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. Charleston Southern Grad Transfer Christian Keeling has set a UNC Official Visit Date.https://t.co/a2HOUqm8SK (FREE) pic.twitter.com/iohMW7IQTG— Sherrell D. McMillan (@RellDMC) April 17, 2019 He has averaged a respectable 35% from beyond the arc over three seasons, but that is buoyed by a career-best 38% success rate last year. Averaging 6.3 three-point attempts as a junior, Keeling isn’t afraid to let it fly. With 4.8 free throw attempts per game, he also isn’t afraid to attack the rim. How those skills transfer to tougher competition is still an unknown, but judging by the amount of interest he’s generated, most coaching staffs aren’t too concerned. Over 25 schools reached out in pursuit of his services. Keeling will officially visit UNC from April 23-25. He has already visited Georgia Tech and is headed to Clemson this weekend. You can find additional details in this article by Inside Carolina’s Sherrell McMillan. Justin Pierce Small Forward, 6-7, 215William and Mary (Graduate Transfer) Pierce is listed as the #5 overall transfer by ESPN, which may surprise some fans. As a junior he “only” averaged 14.9 points on his way to 3rd-team All-CAA honors. His value, however, comes in his versatility. Pierce also averaged 8.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists, and can play multiple positions on the perimeter or high post. That kind of flexibility could benefit UNC next season. A career 34.5% success rate behind the arc, like Keeling, is respectable. Unlike Keeling, Pierce saw a significant dip in his long-distance shooting success. As a sophomore he hit 41.6% on 3.6 three-point attempts per game. Last season, his shooting dropped to 32.4% while his attempts increased to 4.9 per game. Obviously UNC would hope for a repeat of his sophomore numbers, but his rebounding success is likely more attractive to the Tar Heel coaching staff. Justin Pierce, one of the best available graduate transfers, cuts list to three, schedules final official visit to North Carolina | Story: https://t.co/AhLcA0VDFG pic.twitter.com/rW674YlMva— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) April 16, 2019 Pierce recently visited Notre Dame and will visit Michigan this weekend. After making the trip to Chapel Hill on April 28th, he’s expected to make a final decision. More info can be found in this article from Evan Daniels. Anthony Harris “Combo” Guard, 6-3, 175Paul VI Catholic (Fairfax, VA) Harris recently decommitted from Virginia Tech after Buzz Williams left for Texas A&M. There was some chatter that UNC had reached out to Harris and his family when Williams checked in on 2020 point guard target (and Paul VI teammate) Jeremy Roach, but nothing official had been made public. That changed yesterday. Source: Four-star senior guard Anthony Harris has scheduled official visits to North Carolina & Indiana | Story: https://t.co/zaERY30ck4 pic.twitter.com/AYwHLmYkD2— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) April 17, 2019 Harris is a 4-star “combo” guard, currently ranked 65th in the 247 Sports Composite rankings. Projected as a multi-year player, he would fill multiple roles on the perimeter. I personally find the term “combo” guard pointless, no pun intended. It basically means a guy is a scoring point guard (Coby White) or a shooting guard with ball-handling skills (Marcus Paige in 2016). How Harris would fit into UNC isn’t completely known. Coming off an ACL injury, he missed most of last season. Not known as an elite shooter (yet), Harris could fill the traditional role on the wing, while handling point guard duties in back-up/emergency duty. Or, with a reputation of being a dogged defender and respectable ball handler and passer, he could develop into a long-term answer at point guard. Possessing above-average athleticism, Harris would thrive in either role with an ability to attack and get into the lane. With Brandon Robinson and Seventh Woods graduating after next season, the perimeter is projected to be thin headed into 2020. Jeremiah Francis (PG) Andrew Platek (SG) and Leaky Black (PG/SG/SF/PF/C/Everything) are the only guards currently expected to be around after next season. There will be playing time in some capacity. However, before any of that turns into a serious discussion, Harris has to pick UNC. He’ll take his official visit on April 22-23 after visiting Indiana this weekend. There is no timetable for his decision. More information from Evan Daniels can be found here.