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UNC Basketball: Why 2019’s top prospect might not pick the Tar Heels

By Blake Cockrum

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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Here’s what stands in the Tar Heels’ way of signing 2019’s top prospect

The North Carolina Tar Heels are in the hunt for the top-ranked prospect in the class of 2019, but once again find themselves in a battle with some of college basketball’s top programs.

Vernon Carey, Jr. is the No. 1-ranked prospect in the 2019 class according to the latest Rivals150, narrowly holding on to the top spot over surging five-star point guard Cole Anthony.

Carey is a 6-foot-9, 245-pound power forward out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida who may be the most physically imposing player in the class. His combination of size and skill make him a handful for any opponent, and he’s extremely difficult to stop near the basket. He’s got a nice array of post moves, and has even shown the ability to knock down mid-range shots.

Related Story: Dikembe Mutombo's son wants to play for UNC?

If there’s a knock on Carey, it’s his level of conditioning and lack of speed in the open court. He could also use some work on his right hand, as he tends to be very left hand dominant.

Carey narrowed his list of finalists some time back, leaving just five schools in contention. Duke, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan State and North Carolina made the list, though some feel that this race is between the Blue Devils and Tar Heels at this point.

Rivals’ Eric Bossi and Corey Evans recently analyzed Carey’s recruitment, looking at the five potential schools and reasons that he may or may not commit to each.

In outlining the pros of Carey going to North Carolina, the analysts noted the Tar Heels’ success with previous bigs, citing the development of players like Brice Johnson, Tony Bradley and Luke Maye. The Tar Heels also make it a point to play through their bigs, and would make Carey a focal point of their offense.

On the other hand, there are things at play that could be working against the Tar Heels, too. Bossi and Evans posed the following questions for Carey regarding his potential commitment to North Carolina:

"“Is Carey comfortable sharing the spotlight with others in Chapel Hill? Is the number of big men that should be back a potential issue for him? Sure, he will be the most talented, but there could be a handful of bigs with a couple of years experience ahead of Carey.”"

They’re good questions, and ones that Williams and company might have to answer at some point. Carey’s a talented player, and there’s always the possibility that he could leap-frog a number of the team’s current front court players. But could he pass them all?

And the battle for minutes might be inevitable either way, particularly with an upperclassman-laden front court that includes Sterling Manley, Garrison Brooks and Brandon Huffman.

We’re not certain of the exact timetable that Carey is working with, but North Carolina certainly has its work cut out between now and then. He’s still got some official visits to make before committing, and the Tar Heels may have to pull out all the stops when Carey comes to town.

Next: The reason UNC may lose this 5-star recruit to UCLA

Stick with Keeping It Heel for more on the Tar Heels’ pursuit of Carey, and their first commitment from a No. 1-ranked player in nearly a decade.

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