Kennedy Meeks Is Developing Quickly For UNC Basketball

Kennedy Meeks

Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

North Carolina freshman Kennedy Meeks is already giving glimpses of how talented he is. The big man started slow in the outset of the season, but confidence has come with playing time.

Meeks’ frame of 6-foot-9, 290 pounds makes it clear he will take up space and grab rebounds based on his mass alone. But he is also moving around better because he shuffles his feet quickly without acting like a wrecking ball. This has led to extremely easy baskets on offense and rebounds on defense.

Meeks is also quite skilled at tip-outs on the offensive boards. Carolina is known for the this offensive rebounding tactic, and any way Meeks can keep the ball alive will make him that much more valuable.

However, the greatest display of his abilities has been his passing. Meeks might be the best outlet-passing post player in the country. Against Louisville on Sunday, Meeks recorded a team-high five assists. He made seven perfect outlet passes that led to baskets or fouls. He precisely leads players towards the hoop with these passes, and has just the right amount of touch.

Meeks has also shown that he can make great finds with his passing on the block. Defenders will key in on him and he can find an open teammate, usually Brice Johnson, open for a dunk. This passing ability revs up Carolina’s offense, especially on the break immediately after rebounds. It creates havoc for defenses and layups for the Tar Heels.

Meeks will have his ups and downs as a freshman, but if he can consistently make these passes to start breaks and find players in the paint, UNC’s running offense will be unstoppable.

Gregory T. Philson is an ACC college basketball at www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @GTPhilson, “Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.

 

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