Four-star Indiana forward Laila Hull fourth Class of 2023 commitment for UNC women

By R.L. Bynum

Coach Courtney Banghart added the fourth commitment for North Carolina’s Class of 2023 recruiting class from four-star 6–1 forward Laila Hull of Zionsville, Ind. It was a natural landing spot, considering that she says her father loves UNC and Michael Jordan and hates Duke.

Hull, who cut her list in August to UNC, Boston College, DePaul, Marquette and Maryland, posted on her Instagram account early Tuesday evening a picture of herself in a Carolina uniform with the words “Committed. #goheels #hk.”

Click on the post to view other photos, Hull’s statement about her commitment.

She ended a long message thanking family, coaches and teammates by saying, “I have decided to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of North Carolina! GO HEELS.”

She also had offers from Florida, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Toledo, Oklahoma and Kentucky, among others.

Hull told Brian Haenchen of the Indianapolis Star in the below interview that UNC was a good fit and that “deep down always knew she would” go to UNC and that it “felt like home.” She said in the short video interview that her dad loves Jordan and UNC and hates Duke.

Hull, who isn’t in ESPN’s current Top 100 Class of 2023 ranking but is rated 4-star and was once ranked No. 57, joins a UNC class that includes 5-star center Ciera Toomey of Denmore, Pa. (currently ranked No. 4), 4-star 5–5 point guard Reniya Kelly of Hoover, Ala. (No. 30) and 4-star 6–3 center Rylee Grays of Houston (No. 90).

Hull led her Zionsville Community High School team and the Hoosier Crossroads Conference in scoring (20.3 points per game) and rebounding (9.6 per game) and blocks (1.4 per game) last season as the Eagles finished 16–7.

She averaged 17.9 points and 7.8 rebounds as a sophomore and 13.4 points and 7.8 rebounds as a freshman.

Hull, whose hometown of Zionsville is just north of Indianapolis, plays AAU ball with the Nike Lady Gym Rats.

Follow this link for a Hull high school highlight video.

Paulina Paris is the only freshman on this season’s Carolina team after the Tar Heels lost Carlie LIttlefield and Jaelynn Murray from last season. There are four freshmen coming in next season because UNC loses Eva Hodgson, Ariel Young and Malu Tshitenge unless they decide to use the extra season of eligibility allowed under COVID-19 rules.

Photo via @ZionsvilleGBB

2 Comments

Leave a comment