UNC Basketball: Which program leads for five-star shooting guard?

Where does the UNC Basketball program stand with a top shooting guard in the 2021 class? One recruiting analyst breaks it down

With one of the top recruiting classes in the 2020 cycle, the North Carolina Tar Heels are hoping to build on that and reel in another really good one in 2021.

Roy Williams and his staff have seven active offers out in the 2021 class and have one commitment in four-star power forward Dontrez Styles. While the Tar Heels are strong in the post, they could use some depth on the wing.

One of those players that could help fit that void is five-star shooting guard Trevor Keels.

The Virginia native has had an interesting recruitment so far, earning 17 offers so far as the No. 17 overall player in the 2021 class. Keels was reportedly close to making a decision but that was later debunked and marked untrue.

Keels has made two visits so far, taking trips to Ohio State and in-state Virginia but has held Zoom meetings with several other programs including the Tar Heels. But where does UNC rank among the programs pursuing him?

That was a topic that Rivals’ recruiting analyst Corey Evans touched on in his Wednesday’s leftovers column, breaking down just who might be the favorites in this recruitment:

"In the meantime, virtual visits and Zoom calls is all that can be done. He has never produced an exact school list but Duke, Georgetown, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, UConn and Villanova, along with OSU and UVA, are the primary programs involved.Keels has a number of ties to a number of the programs recruiting him but no one has prioritized him for a longer duration than Villanova and Virginia and feels these are the programs to beat. Look for Keels to take a handful of visits this summer and fall before coming to a final decision later in the year."

When the recruiting dead period is lifted, Keels could take some on-campus visits to schools showing interest including North Carolina. While they might not be a favorite right now, they should be able to have the chance to leave an impression with a on-campus visit in the future.

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