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UNC Basketball: This recruit will be the Tar Heels’ first commit of 2021

By Blake Cockrum

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 11: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during their game against the Syracuse Orange in the second round of the 2020 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 11, 2020 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 11: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during their game against the Syracuse Orange in the second round of the 2020 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 11, 2020 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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4-star wing will be UNC basketball program’s first commitment of the class of 2021

Look for Roy Williams and the North Carolina Tar Heels to get their first commitment of the 2021 class on Saturday when 4-star small forward Dontrez Styles announces his college decision.

Styles is a 6-foot-6, 205-pound junior from Kinston, North Carolina, the hometown of former Tar Heels Jerry Stackhouse and Reggie Bullock — as well as former Duke forward Brandon Ingram. He got praise on social media from Bullock, as well as former UNC point guard Coby White, upon receiving a scholarship offer from the Tar Heels in late March.

light. Related Story. 4-star UNC target announces three finalists

Styles is ranked 57th in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite, and No. 1 in the state of North Carolina. His overall ranking has improved by 64 spots since July of 2019, and his trajectory is pointing straight up. While he probably won’t ever reach 5-star status, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him continue to improve on his position in the rankings.

The Tar Heels picked up six Crystal Ball predictions for Styles on Thursday, most of them just minutes after he announced via Twitter that he’d be finalizing his college decision on Saturday. That’s a good sign for the Tar Heels, who have continually missed out on important wing targets over the past two years. Styles would be a great addition to a North Carolina roster that will likely boast a senior Leaky Woods and a sophomore Puff Johnson when he arrives on campus next year.

A versatile forward that can play multiple positions, Styles can hit shots out to the three-point line, play tenacious defense and use his athleticism to impact the game’s final score in a myriad of ways. He plays with a tremendous amount of energy and effort, and would fit well into the Tar Heels’ fast-paced, up-and-down style of play. He’s a terrific rebounder, and uses his size well in the paint. His ball handing skills and ability to shoot beyond the arc are facets of his game that need some improvement.

If the Tar Heels do, in fact, get a commitment from Styles this weekend, they’ll have a nice piece to build the rest of their class around over the next year. It’s also a big win for Roy Williams and company to keep the state’s top player in North Carolina, and away from ACC rivals Duke and NC State.

Next. Who is UNC's toughest competition for 5-star point guard Kennedy Chandler?. dark

Check back with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on the Dontrez Styles recruitment leading up to his commitment on Saturday.

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