UNC Basketball: Tar Heels still in the running for 2020 5-star

The UNC Basketball program is still in pursuit of this five-star player in the 2020 class but is he destined to end up staying on the West Coast?

North Carolina’s five-man recruiting class of Walker Kessler, Day’Ron Sharpe, Caleb Love, Donovan Johnson and R.J. Davis is among the best in the 2020 cycle. It currently sits at No. 3 on the 247 Sports recruiting rankings with all five players signed.

Having that class come in is huge for the Tar Heels and they possibly could add to it despite some scholarship concerns. Doing some quick math, UNC would need a scholarship to open up somewhere to add to the class but would head coach Roy Williams turn down a player, especially if it was a five-star recruit?

That could certainly be the situation.

Even with those five signed, UNC remains in the running for longtime target Ziaire Williams. The five-star prospect out of the West Coast has yet to make a decision and has visited UNC a few times in his recruitment.

But where do things stand now? Rivals reporter Corey Evans touched on the topic of Williams in his Wednesday leftovers column when asked about UNC. Here is what he said on the situation:

"Completely out? No, North Carolina is still in the running for Ziaire Williams despite being full on scholarships for the year. Early departures and unexpected defections do happen, which is why the Tar Heels remain in touch with the five-star prospect. Their only chance would be for Williams to hold off from committing until after the season – and a roster loss. Then, and only then, would UNC have a chance to take Williams, so look for Roy Williams to string out the top-10 prospect so the Tar Heels might have a chance in the spring.I don’t expect that to happen, though. The feeling is that Williams will visit Oregon and potentially UCLA in the coming weeks and then go into deliberation mode. The three programs to beat are Arizona, Stanford and USC. The Cardinal had most of the talk this summer, while the Trojans were the talk of the fall. However, my prediction currently sits with Sean Miller’s program and a commitment will likely to be made in late winter."

Although the Tar Heels remain in the running, the chances might be slim. As the weeks have gone on, it feels like those West Coast programs have really started to pick up some momentum.

It was known that Williams wanted to wait out his recruitment and not sign early, which could have been a sign for the Tar Heels. However, don’t count Roy and his staff out just yet.

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