UNC Basketball: Roy Williams sold Christian Keeling on joining Tar Heels

What really sold Christian Keeling on joining the UNC Basketball program? Well, it shouldn’t be a shocker for Tar Heels fans

While the North Carolina Tar Heels added Cole Anthony and Anthony Harris in a matter of hours to their 2019 recruiting class back in April. Some bigger additions came in the form of two graduate transfers to the rosters.

Both Christian Keeling and Justin Pierce decided to continue their college basketball careers at UNC, joining the 2019-20 roster. The additions were huge for the Tar Heels as they have to replace four of their top five scorers from a year ago. The players technically aren’t considered part of the 2019 recruiting class but adding them to the roster is just a bonus.

Keeling played three seasons at Charleston Southern before transferring to UNC, picking the Tar Heels over Clemson, N.C. State, Georgia Tech and Purdue. He was set to make his announcement on Mother’s Day but shocked everyone and announced to UNC earlier on at the end of April.

The guard averaged 18.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game last season for Charleston Southern including scoring 18 points vs. Florida and 25 vs. Clemson. He adds a new dynamic to the Tar Heels offense, giving them a legit scoring option.

Keeling recently opened up about his decision to join UNC and how he decided that this was the right program for him. In what is no shocker, it was Roy Williams that ultimately was the difference maker according to the guard.

Here is what Keeling told WRDW about his decision and the factors that played in it:

"“He’s a very genuine dude so I mean, he kept it 100% with me. He laid out the depth chart and where the minutes are, and he said he needs scoring, rebounding, and experience. That’s everything I have, so he convinced me and I was like, it’s a true spot for me, a true opportunity, a big opportunity, and an opportunity I can’t turn down” said Christian Keeling"

It’s no secret that Williams is as honest as can be as we have heard stories in the past about him influencing NBA Draft decisions for his former players. Williams is honest and wants to put players in the best possible situation to succeed.

In other words, there is no sugar coating from Williams. He won’t lie and tell you that there are a ton of minutes for a player to have or that he will automatically start just to draw a player to his program.

For more on Keeling and the rest of the UNC Basketball program, please check back with Keeping It Heel.