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UNC Basketball: Don’t expect these 2020 recruits to sign with UNC

By Blake Cockrum

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 28: North Carolina Tar Heels Head Basketball Coach Roy Williams watches the action during the second half of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center on November 28, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated North Carolina Tar Heels 84-67. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 28: North Carolina Tar Heels Head Basketball Coach Roy Williams watches the action during the second half of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center on November 28, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated North Carolina Tar Heels 84-67. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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UNC Basketball
DURHAM, NC – FEBRUARY 09: (L-R) Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils and head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels shake hands prior to their gaem at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 9, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Walker Kessler

6-foot-10, 225-pound Walker Kessler had well over 20 scholarship offers to choose from, including ones from some of the most prestigious college basketball programs in the nation. But when he announced his list of six finalists in July, it was Auburn, Cal, Duke, Gonzaga, Michigan and North Carolina that made the cut.

In doing so, Kessler eliminated big-name programs like Florida, Florida State, Memphis, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCLA, Virginia and Xavier. Also out of contention for Kessler’s commitment are the Kentucky Wildcats, who despite not having extended an offer to the top-20 big man, were considered a strong player in his recruitment.

The most surprising team left off his list, however, was the Georgia Bulldogs, who were seen as a legitimate favorite from very early on. Kessler’s family ties to the school — his father, late uncle and brother all played for the Bulldogs — and his relationship with head coach Tom Cream were thought to be a clear advantage for Georgia; at least enough to make his list of finalists.

Kessler, the No. 16 prospect in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite, stated that his only planned visit is a trip to Gonzaga on October 5. He anticipates taking an unofficial visit to Auburn, as well as official visits to Cal, Duke, Michigan and North Carolina.

Despite his plans to visit each of the six schools on his list, there’s a growing belief that Duke is the leader in his recruitment. The Blue Devils will obviously have holes to fill in their front court next season, and Kessler would fit the bill nicely.

Next. 5 Tar Heels who outperformed their recruiting ranking. dark

Another reason that UNC basketball fans shouldn’t get too excited about signing Kessler is how overcrowded the Tar Heels’ front court projects to be next season. Garrison Brooks will be a senior next season, and firmly etched into the starting power forward position. If Armando Bacot remains in college for his sophomore season, then he will likely be the team’s starting center. And even if Bacot leaves college for the NBA after just one season, 5-star center Day’Ron Sharpe is likely to steal a lot of minutes in the UNC front court as a freshman, if not get the starting role himself.

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