Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Tar Heels need to sign 2 of these 5 players in 2019 class

By Blake Cockrum

CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 20: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Dean Smith Center on January 20, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 20: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Dean Smith Center on January 20, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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HOLLYWOOD, CA – SEPTEMBER 19: A general view of the atmosphere at The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce & The Hollywood Sign Trust’s 90th Celebration of the Hollywood Sign at Drai’s Hollywood on September 19, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA – SEPTEMBER 19: A general view of the atmosphere at The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce & The Hollywood Sign Trust’s 90th Celebration of the Hollywood Sign at Drai’s Hollywood on September 19, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

Will Baker

Will Baker, a 6-foot-11, 240-pound center from Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, is one of the top big men in the 2019 class. He possesses tremendous athleticism, and a polished skill set that would help him fit in well at North Carolina.

The Tar Heels have been recruiting Baker for some time now, and officially offered him a scholarship in November of 2017. Williams followed that up with trips to see Baker play in January and April, and the two have remained in frequent contact in the time since.

But as Keeping It Heel outlined earlier this month, getting Baker to Chapel Hill — and away from UCLA — may be much more easily said than done.

"“Five-star big man Will Baker made a trip out to Westwood to have his official visit with UCLA,” Rivals recruiting analyst Eric Bossi said. “The key here is that the Bruins are considered the team to beat because of Baker’s desire to get into the film industry after his basketball days. North Carolina also seems to be in good shape but they will have to get over the film school hurdle while Texas has been gaining some ground as well.”"

Given Baker’s love of film, and the UNC campus being more than 2,500 miles from Hollywood, the Tar Heels have a distinct disadvantage in terms of location. If Baker’s movie school ambitions compel him to take up residence on the West Coast, then the Tar Heels could be left on the outside looking in.

According to Bossi, though, the Tar Heels remain in pretty good shape with Baker. They are still one of the front-runners in his recruitment, along with UCLA and the hometown Texas Longhorns.

Related Story. Tar Heels may get official visit from this 5-star prospect. light

The Tar Heels currently hold 25 percent of votes in the 247Sports Crystal Ball. Favored UCLA has 62 percent of votes, including that of 247Sports’ Director of Scouting Jerry Meyer. The remaining 12 percent of predictions belong to Texas.

Baker is the No. 25 prospect in the class of 2019 according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s the sixth-ranked center in the class, and the No. 2 player in the state of Texas.

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