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UNC Basketball: Tar Heels not a contender for 5-star recruit?

By Zack Pearson

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 11: Rameses, the North Carolina Tar Heels mascot, cheers 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: Rameses, the North Carolina Tar Heels mascot, cheers 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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Will the UNC Basketball program be able to make up some ground for this five-star power forward who has yet to score an offer from them?

Roy Williams and his staff on the UNC Basketball program have a total of seven active offers out for recruits in the 2021 class. But they are also pursuing a few other players that they have yet to officially offer.

One of those players is five-star power forward Jabari Smith Jr.

The Tar Heels already have a commitment from a power forward in their class and it’s their lone commitment from Dontrez Styles. Williams and his staff wouldn’t turn down a player like Smith if he wanted to come to UNC, however.

Smith is ranked No. 5 overall, No. 2 power forward and No. 1 player in the state of Georgia by 247 Sports Composite rankings. He’s one of the most talented players in a loaded recruiting class for 2021.  Smith has 9 total offers in his recruitment so far and has taken at least one visit.

But who holds the lead?

Well, North Carolina has yet to offer Smith but they are showing interest. They could be waiting a bit to extend that official offer and attempt to lure him to Chapel Hill.

Rivals recruiting analyst Corey Evans wrote on Smith’s recruitment and who possibly holds the lead as he ranked the top four contenders. The Tar Heels were NOT among the four, not surprising, since they haven’t officially offered him as of yet.

Evas listed Auburn as the top contender for Smith but did note something interesting about Blue Blood programs getting involved:

"While the bluebloods are just beginning to show heavier interest and a commitment does not seem near, a number of regional powers have continued to make Smith a top priority this summer."

With the recruiting dead period not allowing programs or recruits to take visits, it’s put the Tar Heels’ pursuit on hold a bit. They still shouldn’t be counted out of the recruitment yet, either.

Next. UNC Basketball target talks Tar Heels, Roy Williams. dark

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

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