UNC Basketball: Tar Heels 2020 target makes big jump in rankings

One of the UNC Basketball recruiting targets made the biggest jump in the Rivals 2020 recruiting rankings that were updated this week.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are the latest team to show interest in a 2020 combo guard that is quickly seeing his stock rise.

Roy Williams and his staff recently got involved with recruit Bryce Thompson, offering him a scholarship in early May just hours after an in-home visit. Just last week it was revealed that Thompson will be taking an unofficial visit to Chapel Hill soon, showing interest in the Tar Heels’ program.

And now on Tuesday, Thompson earned some praise from recruiting analysts and made a big jump in the updated Rivals 2020 recruiting rankings.

Thompson was previously a four-star recruit but has now moved up to a five-star guard in the 2020 class according to Rivals. The Oklahoma native climbed 40 spots in the updated rankings from No. 58 overall to No 18, which was the biggest move of anyone in the class.

Recruiting analysts Eric Bossi, Corey Evans, Dan McDonald broke down the new rankings in their recent roundtable and Evans listed him as the recruit that they hope proves them right. Here is what he said about Thompson and his game:

"The now five-star guard is no stranger to Rivals.com as we have covered him heavily throughout his prep career, but the jump that he made this past spring was just ridiculous. No longer is Thompson an undersized, tweener 2-guard that shoots a streaky jumper but rather now a legitimate 6-foot-4 guard that can play either spot in the backcourt, shoot with accuracy and is a much-improved athlete. Throw in his amazing intangibles, strong work ethic and steady progressions as a ballplayer and his giant bump in the rankings is well-deserved."

The Tar Heels recent pursuit of Thompson could be a good thing. They are looking to add another wing to their 2020 class as Cole Anthony will likely be a one-and-done, while graduate transfers Christian Keeling and Justin Pierce will be here for just one season.

With Day’Ron Sharpe already committed and recently reaching five-star status, landing a player like Thompson would be huge for Williams and his staff.

As it stands now, there is really no timetable for a decision from Thompson and the better he plays, the more interest he will receive from programs.

For more on Thompson and other UNC Basketball recruiting targets, please check back with Keeping It Heel.