UNC Basketball: Tar Heels extend first offer to 2021 prospect

5-star power forward receives UNC basketball program’s first scholarship offer in the class of 2021

Roy Williams and the North Carolina Tar Heels have extended their first scholarship offer to a class of 2021 prospect, Inside Carolina reported Monday afternoon.

Paolo Banchero, a 6-foot-9, 235-pound power forward out of O’Dea High School in Seattle, Washington adds North Carolina to a growing list of Division I programs to have already offered the soon-to-be junior big man. He’s currently holding offers from Duke, Gonzaga, Kentucky, Memphis, Oklahoma and Tennessee among others. And that list could double in almost no time.

Williams was on hand to see Banchero play at the NBPA Top 100 camp last month, and again last week at the Peach Jam. IC also reports that it was UNC assistant coach Hubert Davis who first made contact with Banchero earlier this year, and has been building a relationship with him in the months since.

247Sports national recruiting analyst Josh Gershon projects Banchero as a future first round draft pick, and compares his size and play to that of former Kentucky Wildcat P.J. Washington. In scouting him on the amateur circuit, Gershon had this to say of Banchero:

"“Respectable size for post with decent length, wide shoulders and a very good frame,” Gershon writes. “Strong for his age but has plenty of room to grow into frame. Shouldn’t have issues increasing strength. Best from high post where he can hit jumpers, take bigger defenders off dribble or use his outstanding vision to find cutters. Terrific rebounder. Uses his size and basketball IQ to protect rim. Should be able to play both the four and five at college level. Improving efficiency from perimeter would take game to next level and greatly impact his NBA upside. Projects as a high level performer at high major level. Has first-round upside with continued development.”"

Banchero still has two years of high school left, and nearly endless options when it comes to his college destination. Expect him to have his pick of the litter when it comes time to make a decision; a decision that we shouldn’t expect to happen for quite some time.

Banchero is the No. 4 prospect in the class of 2021 according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s the top-ranked power forward in the class, and No. 1 in the state of Washington.

Stick with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on the Paolo Banchero recruitment, and everything UNC basketball.