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High Energy: Zayden High’s rise reshapes Tar Heels’ frontcourt
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- High Energy: Zayden High’s rise reshapes Tar Heels’ frontcourt
No player has benefited more from Caleb Wilson's absence than North Carolina center Zayden High , and he showed it again Saturday.
High finished with nine points and a career-high 11 rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench in North Carolina's 77-64 win over Syracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome. The stat line is even more notable considering his minutes have dipped with the recent return of Henri Veesaar, yet his impact has not.
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Head coach Hubert Davis said High's value goes well beyond the box score.
"Well, Zaden was huge, again, for us tonight. I know he had, what was it, 9 points, 11 rebounds, and but, as many good plays that he made, the one that sticks out to me was in the first half when there was a loose ball on the floor, he dove on it. Those are the type of plays that, that allow you to win. The little boring, mundane things that make big things happen. And, you know, his rebounding is real. When he gets it off his glass, he boxed out. And tonight, we did something that we hadn't done all years. We had Zaden and Henri at the at the same time. And so we, we were able to preserve our size in the front court as opposed to going small, with the exception of late in the game. And so, really proud of him."
The production has been steady. Over his last three games, High is averaging 12.3 points and 9.3 rebounds in 27 minutes, shooting 13-for-21 (62%) from the field. His energy was essential in the previous two contests, when he was arguably North Carolina's best player before Veesaar returned to the rotation on Saturday.
But the moment that may resonate most with his teammates did not involve a made basket or a rebound.
When Syracuse forward Donnie Freeman got into a physical confrontation with UNC forward Jarin Stevenson, High immediately stepped in to defend his teammate and mixed it up with Freeman. Both players were ejected, but with Carolina leading by a wide margin, the loss on the floor was minimal. The message in the locker room was not.
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High has become more than just a serviceable option in the frontcourt. He has emerged as an energy piece and an emotional "enforcer" who protects his teammates and embraces the dirty work that often swings games in March.
For a North Carolina team with postseason aspirations, that combination of production and presence may be as important as any scoring surge he provides.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Zayden High thrives in expanded role as Tar Heels top Syracuse
