UNC Recruiting: Tar Heels’ 2019 class could look a lot like this
![CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on from the sideline against the Lipscomb Bisons during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on from the sideline against the Lipscomb Bisons during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b853e79fa4c078b0de8312066ce09868c0ac36df3c5cb178a81f36b0c968468a.jpg)
Will Baker
Will Baker is one of the top front court prospects in the class of 2019, and he could be headed to the University of North Carolina next year.
Getting Baker to Chapel Hill will be no easy task, though. The Tar Heels will have stiff competition from a handful of other big name programs.
Baker, a native of Austin, Texas, is said to be considering his hometown Texas Longhorns. Baker’s first scholarship offer came from the Longhorns, and he’s received multiple visits from head coach Shaka Smart in 2018. Baker reciprocated interest in mid-February when he came to campus for an unofficial visit.
Baker has interest from a number of other schools in Texas including Baylor, Texas A&M and TCU, each of which has extended an offer to the five-star big man. He’s made unofficial visits to both Baylor and Texas A&M, but appears to have more interest in the state’s flagship school.
Another major player in Baker’s recruitment is Kansas, which extended a scholarship offer in November, just one day after watching him play. The Jayhawks appear to be in a good situation with Baker at the moment, and figure to be in contention throughout his recruitment.
Baker is also taking a really long look at the UCLA Bruins, who have been trending in the 247Sports Crystal Ball for the past couple of months. That’s where site expert and Director of Basketball Scouting Jerry Meyer believes Baker will commit. Baker also has an offer from Stanford, which remains the dark horse in the state of California.
Roy Williams followed up a September scholarship offer with visits to see Baker in January and April. Much like UNC’s other front court targets, Williams is recruiting Baker hard. The Tar Heels would like to get commitments from at least two big men in the 2019 class in order to avoid using an undersized lineup in future seasons.
Baker is the No. 16 overall prospect in the class of 2019 according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s a top-5 center in the class and the No. 2 player in the state of Texas.