UNC Basketball: This 2020 prospect could be next big thing in Chapel Hill

This class of 2020 UNC basketball target could be the next big thing in Chapel Hill

The North Carolina basketball program was one of the first to make a splash in the recruiting class of 2020, getting a commitment from 5-star center Day’Ron Sharpe. Sharpe was, of course, just a 4-star recruit at the time of his pledge to the Tar Heels, but has since moved up 50 spots and earned an additional star next to his name.

Roy Williams and the Tar Heels haven’t added to next year’s class in the 13 months since Sharpe’s commitment, but they’ve got over a dozen scholarship offers out to top-50 prospects in the class. And despite recently being eliminated from contention in the recruitment of 4-star small forward Cam’Ron Fletcher —  the top-40 recruit chose Kentucky over the weekend —  they’re battling some of the premier programs in college basketball for some of the most sought after prospects in the nation.

One of the Tar Heels’ top targets in the 2020 class might also be their most likely. Ziaire Williams, a 6-foot-9, 185-pound small forward out of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, is one of the highest-rated players on the Tar Heels’ recruiting board. Ranked No. 7 in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite, Williams would give North Carolina its second 5-star commitment in the class, and third top-10 recruit in the past three seasons.

Barely a top-50 prospect in March of 2018, Williams’ rise to the top of his class is thanks to his tremendous play both for his high school and on the Nike EYBL circuit — where he averaged better than 27 points per game. He’s been impressing scouts and coaches, and now holds nearly 20 scholarship offers from some of the biggest names in college hoops. Arizona, Duke, Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Virginia and Wisconsin are among the teams that join North Carolina in their pursuit of Williams.

Following right along with the Williams recruitment is Rivals recruiting analyst Eric Bossi, who believes that the rising senior’s ascent to the top of his class may not be finished.

"“Whenever we update class rankings, it’s a team effort,” Bossi writes. “But, when we update the 2020 rankings in early September, it’s going to be hard for me to find five players I could rank over Williams. The 6-foot-8 wing can really put the ball on the floor, he can shoot with range, he is athletic and he consistently makes the smart basketball play.With the crew of stars being assembled at Sierra Canyon, it is Williams who should be considered the headliner. He can do too much and is now showing confidence, an aggressive style on the offensive end and he’s always going to score with a high level of skill.Arizona, North Carolina, Stanford, UCLA and USC are among those chasing and he’s an instant impact guy for any program lucky enough to land him.”"

Known for his physicality and versatility on both ends of the floor, Williams has a terrific offensive game that features a nice jump shot with range beyond the three-point line. He’s more likely to knock down a jumper off a couple dribbles than taking it all the way to the goal, but he does have the ability to put the ball on the floor and drive the lane. Williams’ size and length will allow him to guard multiple positions on the floor, and play different roles on offense.

Williams is the No. 3 small forward in the class, and the fourth-ranked player in the state of North Carolina. UNC and Stanford are currently tied in his Crystal Ball, evenly splitting 86 percent of votes. Duke has the remaining 14 percent.

If the Tar Heels are going to sign a top-10 prospect in the 2020 class, my money is on Williams.

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