UNC Basketball: Can UNC’s 2021 recruiting class match terrific 2020 haul?

The UNC basketball program brought in one of the nation’s top recruiting classes in 2020, but can they do it again in 2021?

Roy Williams and the North Carolina Tar Heels secured one of the nation’s best recruiting classes in 2020; a fantastic haul that ranks second behind only the Kentucky Wildcats.

It’s a class anchored by three 5-star players in Caleb Love, Day’Ron Sharpe and Walker Kessler. They’re joined by a trio of 4-star prospects headlined by sensational scoring guard R.J. Davis, as well as a pair of terrific three-point shooters in Puff Johnson and Kerwin Walton. And although the Tar Heels didn’t reel in the elite wing that has eluded them in recent years, it’s still one of the most dynamic and well-rounded freshman groups that Williams has ever brought to campus.

But will he and his coaching staff be able to do the same thing with the 2021 class? It could be a tall order, despite getting off to a good start with a commitment from 4-star small forward Dontrez Styles. Rivals recruiting analyst Corey Evans hit this topic on Friday morning, pondering if and how the Tar Heels could achieve a similar level of success this year.

"“North Carolina is not quite recruiting at the same level as Kentucky and Duke, though that could be changing after what the Tar Heels were able to put together in 2020,” Evans writes. “Roy Williams may have to replace another large group of players departing for either the NBA or graduation. North Carolina’s 2021 efforts started out with a bang with the addition of in-state star Dontrez Styles, and the program has handed out offers to D’Marco Dunn, Hunter Sallis and Chet Holmgren in recent weeks. The Tar Heels also remain a suitor for Kennedy Chandler, Harrison Ingram, Patrick Baldwin and Trevor Keels. While a top-10 2021 class is not a definite for North Carolina, landing one of its five-star targets would go a long way in ensuring a quality finish next year.”"

It’s difficult to say right now where the Tar Heels stand with many of their top 2021 targets, particularly since things have been slow moving since the start of the NCAA’s recruiting dead period brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Things should begin to materialize a little bit more in the coming months when players and coaches are again permitted to make recruiting trips.

The Tar Heels currently have seven scholarship offers extended to class of 2021 prospects, a handful of which are 5-star recruits. Not far behind is rising senior D’Marco Dunn, a talented guard that could easily see top-50 status by the time his recruitment is over.

Stick with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on the Tar Heels’ 2021 recruiting class, and everything UNC basketball.