UNC Basketball: What this 2020 prospect had to say about the Tar Heels

Tar Heels continue to show interest in class of 2020 center

In case you haven’t heard, Roy Williams and the North Carolina basketball program are in search of elite front court players.

Why, you ask? Maybe it’s because Williams’ title teams in 2005, 2009 and 2017 were absolutely loaded with talented big men. Perhaps, it’s because he’s coached the likes of Sean May, Tyler Hansbrough, Tyler Zeller, John Henson, Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks during his tenure in Chapel Hill.

It’s probably safe to assume that his lack of traditional bigs over the last year-plus – and having to play small ball last season – has only enhanced his effort in finding the program’s next prolific post player. And it’s certainly reasonable to think that last season’s 21-point loss to Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament has only exacerbated his reluctance to take the court without a traditional front court presence.

Williams got good news on Sunday when class of 2020 power forward Day’Ron Sharpe verbally committed to the Tar Heels. The top-75 prospect has good size and great upside, and will likely rise in the rankings with increased attention and media coverage.

North Carolina appears to have a great deal of momentum with class of 2019 prospect Armando Bacot, a five-star power forward who many believe to be favoring the Tar Heels at this point. They’re also in the running for a number of other elite big men including Vernon Carey, the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2019 class.

North Carolina has also spent time recruiting Mark Williams, a 6-foot-10, 205-pound center from the class of 2020.

The Tar Heels began recruiting Williams prior to the 2018-19 season, and he visited the UNC campus in late-September. It was then that he met a number of past and current Tar Heels, and played pickup basketball games in the Smith Center. After leaving campus, he talked about the comradery between the players and the friendliness of students.

"“It was good,” Williams told Rivals. “We played pickup with the guys and experienced play at the highest level. Rasheed Wallace was even playing. We played games to seven for about an hour and a half.I learned that they are big on the concept of family. The players always helped their teammates up and talk to each other a lot. Even at the football game, the students were introducing themselves to me and were telling me all about the school.”"

Williams’ size and mobility will likely make him a hot commodity on the recruiting circuit over the next couple of seasons. That will only increase if he gains another inch or two of height and beefs up his frame in the weight room. He’s been credited with having a nice post game, tremendous upside and a high ceiling.

He just completed his junior season at Norfolk Academy in Norfolk, Virginia, but already has offers from Clemson, Florida, Georgetown, LSU, Oklahoma State, Virginia, VCU and Virginia Tech among others, but that list is likely to grow exponentially by the time he makes a commitment.

Rivals recruiting analyst Corey Evans recently caught up with Williams, and spoke with him about a number of topics including UNC, and the programs showing him the most interest.

Williams mentioned some of the schools that have already offered him a scholarship, and then noted several that have stood out to him so far. Virginia, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State and North Carolina were the four programs he mentioned by name, and he had a bit of something to say about each.

He had this to say of North Carolina, and its Hall-of-Fame head coach:

"“Another ACC school and Roy Williams. He is a great coach. There isn’t much else to say.”"

Despite living in the state of Virginia, UVA and Virginia Tech don’t appear to have a strong advantage over the competition. Williams noted that geography was unlikely to play a part in his decision, and that athletics and academics were far more important factors.

Williams’ decision isn’t likely to come any time soon, and certainly won’t come as quickly as Sharpe’s did. Like Sharpe, though, Williams’ star is on the rise and his ranking will almost definitely move upward with increased exposure over the next year or so.

He’s currently the No. 94 player in the 247Sports Composite, and a top-5 player in the state of Virginia. He’s a four-star prospect and the No. 51 player in the class of 2020 according to Rivals.

Next: What will the Tar Heels' starting five look like?

Stick with Keeping It Heel for more on the Tar Heels’ pursuit of Williams, and everything related to North Carolina recruiting.

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