UNC, Duke among blue bloods involved in late pursuit of 2023 rising star TJ Power

There’s a pretty good chance T.J. Power, a 6-foot-8 forward in the Class of 2023, could be starring on an ACC basketball court within the next two years. He’s got scholarship offers from more than half of the league.

It’s not out of the question that Power could also star on the baseball diamond. He’s a southpaw pitcher (though he shoots right handed) who has thrown in the low 90s.

More than likely though, even close followers of recruiting hadn’t heard of this emerging two-sport star until this month. But you’ll be hearing more of him in the future.

Power is positioned to make one of the biggest jumps in recruiting rankings. He had a strong showing in Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League showcase in Kansas City, and followed it by being one of only two players to finish in the top 20 scoring and rebounding during the Peach Jam last weekend in North Augusta, S.C. Power averaged 16.8 points and 7.6 rebounds and in doing so confirmed he belongs among the best in the class.

Power will be making official visits to both North Carolina and Duke on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

He was ranked No. 65 in the 247Sports.com’s composite rankings at the beginning of the month. That’s about where he’s hovered over the past year. But it won’t be a surprise to see him climb into the top 25 when the lists are updated to reflect play over the summer grassroots circuits.

“It’s definitely been crazy,” said Power, who is from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. “I worked really hard and to see it kind of play out late in the summer to finish out my AAU career like that has been really cool, it’s exciting.”

Carolina finds itself in need of a replacement for forward G.G. Jackson, who was considered by some as the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2023. But Jackson reclassified to the Class of 2022 and decommitted from the Tar Heels to stay close to home and sign with South Carolina.

Powers popped up on the radar after he averaged nearly 24 points per game and shot 45 percent from 3-point range in Kansas City. That’s when he said he received a call from UNC head coach Hubert Davis expressing interest.

Davis isn’t the only one who has taken late interest in Power. He’s gone from having high majors like Iowa, Notre Dame and Virginia offer him, to the blue bloods swooping in late. UNC, Duke, UCLA and Kansas are among the group of latecomers that have all started heavily pursuing Power.

It’s put Power in what he called a “tricky situation.” He’s established longer relationships with schools that were on him a year ago. He’s already taken official visits to UVA and Notre Dame. But he added that “it’s cool to see the big schools come in,” and he feels obligated to explore the possibilities.

“I know it’s the blue bloods and really high level basketball, but for me, it’s gonna be the right fit,” Power said. “So whether it’s a blue blood or or anyone else, if it’s the right fit, then that’s where I’m going to end up. I don’t think it’s about being swayed by the brand of where I’m going.”

The good news for Carolina and Duke? He’s got family in the area. Power said his maternal grandfather lives in Raleigh and he has an aunt who also lives in the state.

Power’s second cousin on his father’s side, Michael Russell, played shortstop for the Tar Heels from 2012-14.

“It’s been exciting for my family, I have a lot of Carolina fans in my family,” Power said. “Some of them were down here (at Peach Jam) this week watching so like, I think it’s cool to see the people around me like kind of react to it.”

Power has a skill set that attracted nine ACC schools to express interest. He’s like a big guard who shoots well from deep, but passes well and plays hard.

Boston College, Miami, Georgia Tech and Wake Forest were among the first schools to offer him a scholarship last year. By the spring, Notre Dame and Virginia had jumped on board. Power didn’t get an offer from the Heels and Blue Devils until two weeks ago.

He said he hopes to make a decision before his high school season begins and there is a wildcard to how he’ll choose. Power is intrigued about the idea of also playing baseball in college, although he said basketball was his “first love.”

It’s all going to come down to how much trust and confidence he has in a coaching staff and how well they develop their players.

“Developing a relationship with the people there is my biggest thing,” Power said. “A lot of these places have nice facilities and everything. But the people, it’s kind of a separator.”