PJ Hairston

A part of another terrific North Carolina recruiting class, PJ Hairston came to Chapel Hill a college ready player after playing at Hargrave Military Academy. Hairston has been able to carve a role out on the very deep and talented North Carolina team, which speaks to his talent and readiness as a freshmen.

A large part of Hairston’s game offensively relies on his three-point shot. Hairston has very good mechanics and deep range but the streakiness on his shot is stopping him from being an elite shooter. For being mostly a perimeter player, he doesn’t possess much of a mid-range game; he does get to the rim at a decent amount though. Hairston doesn’t have elite handles but does possess enough of a handle to take his man off the dribble or off of a poor closeout on the perimeter.

Hairston possesses good size, solid athleticism and a good basketball IQ that make him a good defender. While Hairston isn’t likely to be a lockdown defender, he has the intangibles and fundamentals to be a good on and off the ball ball defender at the next level.

Right now Hairston profiles very much to be a role player coming out of college who will be a good shooter and play good defense. Hairston has the talent to be more than that but needs to develop a lot more offensively to do so.

Rank                 50th Overall (16th SG)

Projection          2^nd round pick

Strengths          Good perimeter shooter

                       Good all-around defender

                       Can get to rim and finish

Weaknesses      Upside

                       Limited offensively