North Carolina Basketball: 2017 center Sterling Manley commits to Tar Heels

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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North Carolina basketball receives its fourth commitment in the class of 2017.

On Friday evening, North Carolina held its annual Late Night With Roy event at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

The event is known to attract a number of recruits each season, often being one of the determining factors in a player’s commitment.

On Sunday afternoon, less than 48 hours after the event, 2017 center Sterling Manley gave a verbal commitment to head coach Roy Williams and the Tar Heels.

Manley made his announcement via Twitter, thanking all who recruited him and noting that the University of North Carolina was the best fit for him and his family.

#HeelsUp❄️???????????? pic.twitter.com/eKG465ZrYE

— Sterling Manley???? (@bigster1) October 16, 2016

Manley is a 6-foot-10, 230-pound power forward out of Pickerington, Ohio and is a three-star player, according to 247Sports Composite ranking.

He becomes the Tar Heels’ fourth commitment in the class of 2017 joining guards Jalek Felton and Andrew Platek, as well as power forward Brandon Huffman.

Manley had a number of offers, but had recently cut his list to North Carolina, Purdue, West Virginia and Xavier.

With this commitment, the Tar Heels gain additional height and depth in a front court that loses seniors Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks after this season. Manley is still somewhat of an unknown though.

Manley is something of a mystery man to national scouts,” said Inside Carolina recruiting analyst Rob Harrington. “The big man had demonstrated real potential his junior season, but a severely broken leg — he had to be stretchered out of the gym — ended his hopes of impressing on the 2016 travel circuit. Once again healthy and ready for his senior year, Manley grew a surge of major recruiting interest.”

UNC is still in the hunt for an additional big man to add to its 2017 class and they remain squarely in the mix for five-star forwards P.J. Washington, Jarred Vanderbilt and Kevin Knox.

UNC currently has the 15th best 2017 recruiting class, according to 247Sports, and a commitment from one of the aforementioned forwards would certainly improve on that.