On to the Next: NC's Newest DII/DIII Commits

It's every prospects dream to play at the next level. There is no doubt about that. With that being said, we can sometimes take for granted just how hard it is turn that dream into a reality. North Carolina's class of 2025 is one of the most talented we've seen a while. It is also one of the deepest. This class is loaded with talent from top to bottom. Today I thought we'd anchor down smack dab in the middle and show some love to the guys who have just committed to programs at the Division II and III level.   From all of us here at Prep Hoops, congratulations. We know this wasn't an easy process. We've truly enjoyed watching each of you guys develop into big time prospects who we know will have immediate impacts at the next level. Keep getting after it, fellas, and most importantly, don't forget your roots.    On Dec. 18, class of 2025 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1284842' first='Addison' last='Newkirk'] announced his commitment to Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va. The Generals compete in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), home to 15 programs scattered across Virginia and North Carolina. Newkirk, a 6'6" combo guard who has flourished under the development of head coach Freddy Johnson at Greensboro Day, will join a W&L roster that lacks size and depth on the perimeter.   I've been high on [player_tooltip player_id='1284842' first='Addison' last='Newkirk'] for a while now, and genuinely believe this is the perfect situation for a player his caliber to commit to. At 6'6", Newkirk is a long, athletic wing who is a consistent three level scorer. His size allows him to play a physical brand of basketball without sacrificing his ability to put the ball in the basket. Newkirk's style of play, gritty and tenacious on the defense end, while smooth and polished around the basket, has been a best-of-both-world's situation for any program he's been apart of.   I see Newkirk's tenure at W&L being very similar to his four years at Greensboro Day. Washington and Lee is a guard heavy roster that has some established veterans and emerging role guys. It might him a year or two to figure out his role and earn valuable minutes in the rotation. That's exactly how it went at Greensboro Day, and a couple state championships later, we all know how that worked out. I look forward to keeping an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1284842' first='Addison' last='Newkirk'] as he wraps up his senior season with the Bengals and moves to the next level. I think his game will translate nicely to Division III ball and am excited to see the marriage between him and this W&L team.     Class of 2025 combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1774476' first='Jordan' last='Patterson'] has committed to Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C. The Bobcat's compete in the Division II Conference Carolinas, which features a host of universities in the Southeast. Patterson, a 6'3" combo guard known who is an elite scoring threat, should fit right in with what head coach Steve Hardin envisions the future of his backcourt to look like.   At 6'3", [player_tooltip player_id='1774476' first='Jordan' last='Patterson'] is a physical guard who prides himself on his ability to score the basketball. In 2024-2025 he is averaging over 28 ppg while shooting 54 percent from the field. Patterson is an elite driver who can finish through contact and make plays. He's got an elite handle that allows him to get to his spots and create options for himself and his teammates. His athleticism and size allow him to compete on the glass for rebounds and push the pace out in transition. Patterson is an underrated defender who plays with physicality and motor while guarding.   Time will tell just how much run Patterson will get his first few games at the college level, but this is a prospect who I know Lees-McRae is excited about. Steve Hardin and his staff just landed a Russel Westbrook-like guard who will be ready to go from day one.     Class of 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1276940' first='Jonah' last='Lawrence'] is headed to the University of South Carolina-Aiken in Aiken, SC. The Pacers compete in the Peach Belt Conference at the Division II level. Lawrence, a jack-of-all-trades kind of prospect, will look to utilize his versatility to help this USCA team win games in 2025.   At 6'5", [player_tooltip player_id='1276940' first='Jonah' last='Lawrence'] is a versatile combo guard with a ton of untapped potential. What I liked most about Lawrence on film was his ability to impact winning without the ball in his hands. While there is no doubt he is an elite three level scorer, Lawrence has become one of the most versatile, tough to defend guards in his class. He's a selfless, team-first guy who only cares about winning. That, paired with his ability to put the ball in the basket and grab rebounds when need be, was more than enough for USCA to pick up the phone and get him down to South Carolina. Lawrence is an elite defender whose footwork and speed is underrated compared to his other big time characteristics. This is a prospect whose got a lot to work with. I'd like to see Lawrence develop more of an offensive identity as this high school season starts to pick up. That doesn't necessarily mean i need to see him in double figures every night. I think polishing his game around the perimeter will give him the confidence he needs to excel at the next level.   With a highly anticipated senior year underway and some exciting things in the future for [player_tooltip player_id='1276940' first='Jonah' last='Lawrence'], expect him to continue to improve his game to prepare for his stint down in South Carolina with the USCA Pacers.     Class of 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1373707' first='Tyree' last='White'] will join [player_tooltip player_id='1284842' first='Addison' last='Newkirk'] in the ODAC as he has committed to Hampden-Sydney College in Hampden Sydney, Va. The Tigers, one of the most successful programs at the Division III level, are getting a 6'1" floor general who they believe is the future of their backcourt in years to come.   [player_tooltip player_id='1373707' first='Tyree' last='White'] is a pass-first guard who is perfect for everything Hampden-Sydney is about. At 6'2", White is an elite ball handler whose size and athleticism spreads the floor nicely for Covenant Day. He is an underrated rebounder who competes on the defensive end of the floor even when he's undersized. I think the next step in White's game is becoming more aggressive as a scorer without losing his pass-first mentality. If he can be a double digit scorer around the 10-12 ppg while still averaging his usual 6 apg, this is a prospect who can lead Covenant Day to a deep playoff run and set himself up nicely for his upcoming tenure with the Tigers.   Similar to Newkirk at W&L, it's hard to say now just how much time White will see on the floor at the collegiate level in 2025. The Tigers have a talented roster anchored with productive guards who distribute and take care of the basketball. There is no doubt that White will have every opportunity in practice to earn meaningful minutes when he steps on campus, but it might take some time. With that being said, I'm excited to see this prospect finish out a great career at Covenant Day and take the next step to college ball.     It's always nice to see a hometown prospect finally get the recognition he deserves, even if he goes to Sanderson High School in Raleigh, N.C. All jokes aside, [player_tooltip player_id='1361268' first='Nathan' last='Fife'] is a bucket-getter who is averaging 24 ppg in 2024-2025. The 6'0" point guard has committed to Northern Michigan, a respected Division II program in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC).   [player_tooltip player_id='1361268' first='Nathan' last='Fife'] is a three-level scorer who knows how to create space and make plays. What he lacks in natural athleticism he makes up with toughness and poise. Fife is an elite three-point shooter who's high release allows him to get up contested shots and knock them down. He's a tough driver who can finish through contact or create plays for his teammates. I'd like to see Fife take his game to the next level by becoming more of a defensive problem for opposing guards. With many young prospects at his position, there is room to grow in that regard. Luckily for him, he's joining a program whose identity is being a gritty defensive team.   [player_tooltip player_id='1361268' first='Nathan' last='Fife'] is a name to keep an eye on in the Triangle this high school season and throughout his entire four years at Northern Michigan. I'm excited to see the type of player he develops into during his time in the Great Lakes.

It's every prospects dream to play at the next level. There is no doubt about that. With that being said, we can sometimes take for granted just how hard it is turn that dream into a reality. North Carolina's class of 2025 is one of the most talented we've seen a while. It is also one of the deepest. This class is loaded with talent from top to bottom. Today I thought we'd anchor down smack dab in the middle and show some love to the guys who have just committed to programs at the Division II and III level.