UNC Recruiting: Tar Heels’ 2019 class could look a lot like this

UNC’s 2019 freshman class might look something like this…

Vernon Carey
Contenders – Duke, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan State, North Carolina
Most likely – Duke
UNC’s chances – 10%

Roy Williams has put in the time with Carey, and North Carolina is a player in his recruitment. Duke is sitting in a really good position with the class’s top power forward, though, and he’ll likely end up in Durham.

Matthew Hurt
Contenders – Kansas, Minnesota, North Carolina
Most likely – Kansas
UNC’s chances – 15%

UNC fans were really optimistic about Hurt a year ago. However, Kansas and Minnesota have clearly taken the forefront in his recruitment, and Lawrence sounds like a probable destination for him in 2019.

Cole Anthony
Contenders – Duke, Kansas, North Carolina, Oregon
Most likely – Duke
UNC’s chances – 10%

There’s not a team in the country that wouldn’t love to have Cole Anthony. As his fame grows, so will his list of scholarship offers. He’ll be able to choose from college basketball’s elite programs, and Duke will certainly be one of those.

Jalen Lecque
Contenders – Kentucky, North Carolina, NC State, Oregon, Tennessee
Most likely – Kentucky
UNC’s chances – 15%

The Tar Heels are currently in a pretty good position with Jalen Lecque, but so are a number of other programs. His recruitment is wide open, but he’s a guy that could easily end up in Lexington with Big Blue Nation.

Will Baker
Contenders – Baylor, Kansas, North Carolina, Stanford, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA
Most likely – North Carolina / UCLA
UNC’s chances – 40%

Will Baker’s got several schools coming at him pretty hard. North Carolina is one of them. Unfortunately for UNC fans, though, Kansas and UCLA are a couple of the others. His recruitment is up in the air, but the Tar Heels have a decent shot at snagging the talented center.

Armando Bacot
Contenders – Duke, Kansas, North Carolina, UCLA, VCU
Most likely – North Carolina
UNC’s chances – 70%

The Tar Heels are doing really well with Armando Bacot. As of now, all signs point to him ending up in Chapel Hill next year. Duke is involved with his recruitment, though, and we’ve seen these things turn quickly in the past.

Wendell Moore
Contenders – Duke, North Carolina, NC State, South Carolina, Wake Forest
Most likely – Duke
UNC’s chances – 10%

Speaking of things turning quickly, Wendell Moore was once viewed as a strong UNC lean. Then Duke offered him a scholarship, and the rest is history. Moore will definitely play in the Dean Dome, but only as a visitor. 

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Contenders – Kansas, North Carolina
Most likely – Kansas
UNC’s chances – 40%

Geographically speaking, Kansas has the advantage in recruiting Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. North Carolina does have Roy Williams, though, and his ties with Earl’s family run deep. This one could go either way.

Keion Brooks
Contenders – Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, North Carolina
Most likely – Michigan State
UNC’s chances – 15%

The Tar Heels have come on strong with Keion Brooks in recent weeks, but it may be too little, too late. They didn’t offer him a scholarship until May 1st, and a couple of Big 10 teams may already have their claws in too deep.

Josh Nickelberry
Contenders – Louisville, North Carolina, NC State, Xavier
Most likely – Louisville
UNC’s chances – 5%

The Tar Heels were looking good with Josh Nickelberry some time ago, but things have dramatically changed since then. This four-star shooter is headed to Louisville.