By Briana Gorman

bgorman@heraldsun.com; 419-6668

The Professional Alumni Game at North Carolina on Friday didn't just bring together former Tar Heel stars, it also landed Coach Roy Williams another blue chip recruit for the class of 2011.

James McAdoo, the No. 1 power forward in the country and No. 2 player overall according to Scout.com, made a verbal commitment to UNC over the weekend. The 6-8, 210 junior from Norfolk, Va., was in the stands for Friday's festivities and made his commitment after speaking with Williams on Saturday. McAdoo was also considering Duke and Virginia.

"I had no plans of committing, but once I went down there to the alumni game on Friday ... and then we ended up on Saturday and was able to talk with Coach Williams and the overall experience of the weekend, just things he was telling me and he was able to show me how I would fit into the program in two years," McAdoo said. "I felt like there was no need to wait."

McAdoo averaged 25.2 points and 11 rebounds at Norfolk Christian last season, and was also a member of the USA basketball men's developmental team that won the FIBA Americas U-16 championship over the summer in Argentina.

"To me, James McAdoo is a competitive, versatile four man who has a huge motor, is driven to win," Scout.com national recruiting director Dave Telep said. "And he is a very, very skilled player."

McAdoo is UNC's second recruit in the class of 2011 as P.J. Hairston out of Dudley High in Greensboro also has made a verbal commitment to the Tar Heels.

McAdoo said UNC's fast-paced style of play was one of the reasons he was drawn to Chapel Hill.

"I think I'll just bring versatility," McAdoo said. "I think coach really liked that about me."

He also had some family connections to the state. James' dad, Ronnie, is from Mebane, and even though he played at Old Dominion -- so did James' mom Janet -- he remained a fan of the Tar Heels. Ronnie, who is an assistant coach at Norfolk Christian, also is the cousin of former Tar Heel and NBA star Bob McAdoo.

James said he doesn't know what he'll major in yet but is relieved the recruiting process is over.

"It's good because now I can just start focusing on getting prepared," James said.

With McAdoo's commitment, the Tar Heels' next two recruiting classes are shaping up to be tops in the country. UNC's commitments from the 2010 class include two five-star recruits in Reggie Bullock from Kinston and Kendall Marshall from Arlington, Va.

"I think you can kind of see the makings for the next big run coming up," Telep said. "I think you see the nuclues of what North Carolina would expect to be to make another run at a national championship."