Garrison Brooks, a 6-foot-10 forward who committed to North Carolina last week, officially became a member of the Tar Heels on Monday when he signed a scholarship agreement to play for coach Roy Williams’ team. Brooks originally signed with Mississippi State, but was eventually released from his National Letter of Intent. His addition to a five-man recruiting class will provide UNC with some added insurance in case freshman big man Tony Bradley decides to stay in the draft. “We have a definite need for players with size,” Williams said in a statement about Brooks, who attends Auburn High School in Lafayette, Ala. “We liked him early in the recruiting process and tried to sign him in the fall. We’re very glad he is joining our program. He’s a talented young man with a wonderful family and is the type of young man we enjoy being part of our program.” Brooks averaged 14.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks as a senior last season and broke his school’s record for career blocks with 334. He scored 1,457 points and grabbed 1,116 rebounds in his four year prep career while earning first-team all-state honors and leading his team to the 7A state championship. He is joined in the incoming freshman class by 6-4 combo guard Jalek Felton, a 6-4, 6-9 forward Brandon Huffman, 6-10 forward Sterling Manley and 6-4 shooting guard Andrew Platek.
