UNC Basketball: Recruiting analyst on Cole Anthony, timeline for a decision

Recruiting analyst talks UNC basketball target Cole Anthony, and a timeline for his looming college decision

The 2018-19 college basketball season has come and gone, but a few 5-star high school prospects from the class of 2019 remain uncommitted.

With the Tar Heels’ roster depleted thanks to the graduation of senior starters Luke Maye, Kenny Williams and Cameron Johnson, in addition to the early departure of sensational freshmen Coby White and Nassir Little, the North Carolina coaching staff is scurrying to find replacements for the many holes on next year’s roster.

They’ve already got 5-star center Armando Bacot waiting in the wings, and he’ll likely join a starting lineup that includes incumbent starter Garrison Brooks and soon-to-be senior wing Brandon Robinson. What we don’t know for sure is who will be joining that trio in Chapel Hill next season.

North Carolina is still in the running for a few players — Cole Anthony, Matthew Hurt and Precious Achiuwa — as well as searching the transfer market for additional help next season. Anthony appears to be the most likely of the three prospects to commit to the Tar Heels, and Rivals recruiting analyst Corey Evans recently touched on his recruitment, and a likely timeline in which he will make an announcement.

"“I would be very surprised if Cole Anthony does not commit to North Carolina by the end of the month,” Evans said. “Anthony has prolonged his recruitment throughout the winter months for a reason: to see who will be leaving and who will be staying at each of his finalists. The five-star is down to a final four of Georgetown, Notre Dame, Oregon and North Carolina, and now that Coby White has announced his intentions of entering his name into the NBA Draft North Carolina looks to have an even better chance at landing Anthony.”"

Evans has been consistent in recent months as it relates to his thoughts on Anthony, and where the top-5 recruit will end up in the fall. It’s clear that he believes North Carolina to be the prohibitive favorite over Oregon, as well as dark horses Georgetown and Notre Dame.

Anthony’s commitment to North Carolina would result in a starting position, and a lot of minutes for a player that’s likely to be among the college ranks for just one season.

Stick with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on the Anthony recruitment, and everything North Carolina basketball.