Dontrez Styles discusses recruitment, looming decision
North Carolina sophomore forward Dontrez Styles is still in Chapel Hill, but his time there is quickly approaching an end. Styles went on The Brian Hanks Show Tuesday morning on 960-AM in his hometown of Kinston, N.C., to discuss his decision to transfer.
“It was very tough,” Styles admitted to Hanks. “I didn’t want to do it. Coming from North Carolina, you always want to go to North Carolina. It was always a dream of mine to be here.
“Life moves on. That’s the biggest thing. … I’m ready for this next chapter. I can’t wait to get back to it.”
Styles added that his decision to enter the portal ultimately came down to a simple factor.
“Everybody wants to play. I want to play and get that experience and be the player I know I can be,” he explained.
While playing for new UNC head coach Hubert Davis, who was reluctant to use his bench much, Styles saw action in 45 contests over two years and just 15 this past season. The 6-foot-6, 210-pounder’s career averages are 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds a contest, while shooting 41.9 percent from the field and 6 of 27 on threes.
However, Styles was a well-regarded recruit at No. 62 nationally in the On3 Industry Ranking for the 2021 class, and it is possible a high major college would bet that it can help Styles treach his potential.
Four schools have emerged for Styles, who is tentatively planning to announce his new destination Sunday.
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“I’m fully open, but the ones that have been consistent are NC State, Georgetown, ECU and South Carolina. It’s been a lot,” Styles said.
Here is what Styles remarked about each of the four schools mentioned:
NC State: “They’re a great team. They’ve been building. They made it to the tournament this year. Coach [Kevin] Keatts is a great coach, and I am very familiar with the whole coaching staff, which is always a positive with them.”
East Carolina: “They’re building as well.It’s close to home, and I can change the culture over there and get back to winning a lot of games.”
Georgetown: “They have a great coach in Coach [Ed] Cooley and the whole coaching staff.”
South Carolina: “They didn’t have a great year this year, but I know some of the guys on the team and … they’re trying to win. I feel like I can come in and help all the schools that I mentioned.”
Styles unofficially visited NC State on March 27 and will be checking out Georgetown on Thursday, April 6.
