Although player movement has become more common than ever, transferring schools or leaving the state is not a universally proven method. There have been countless players who have made big moves over the years, both to national programs and notable local schools, and the results tend to vary heavily by individual. We are not aiming to highlight positives or negatives, but rather trying to understand why this is happening. There is such an overabundance of talent within North Carolina that it seems somewhat backwards that players are opting to leave an area with a rich basketball culture, true competition in every section, and tons of colleges in the region. Let’s look at some of the guys who departed the state from the top 15 of the current class…
Cole Cloer- IMG Academy
Tarris Bouie- Spire Academy
Markus Kerr- Brewster Academy
Josiah Sanders- OTE
Elhadji Diallo- Our Savior Lutheran
Rivers Knight- La Lumiere
Heimir Helgason- DME Academy
Losing seven of the top fifteen players is no joke. This trend doesn’t stop with the current senior class, as juniors and sophomores have already moved or positioned themselves to make a shift when they choose. Again, this is an inevitable practice. Players should be putting themselves in the best possible position to reach whatever goals they are chasing. However, the bigger question (and problem) is why aren’t kids staying within North Carolina to reach these same heights? Plenty of guys stayed, maximized their abilities, and were properly prepared to succeed at the next level. Learning how to play within a role on a dominant team is understandably important. That being said, it is much easier learning how to play within a role versus becoming a focal point. Fortunately, most of the names listed above have taken the necessary strides within their respective developments to make the next leap within their progression.