UNC Basketball: Tar Heels eyeing new 5-star target in class of 2021?

Roy Williams, UNC basketball program eyeing new 5-star target in class of 2021?

Roy Williams and the North Carolina Tar Heels have cast a wide net for back court prospects in the class of 2021, including point guard Kennedy Chandler, combo guard Hunter Sallis and shooting guard Trevor Keels, each of which is a consensus 5-star recruit. They’ve also gone all-in on rising senior and 4-star Fayetteville, North Carolina native, D’Marco Dunn, a talented shooting guard that may very well be favoring the Tar Heels at this point.

What the Tar Heels do not have, though, is any insight as to whether or not they’ll get a commitment from any of the other three, or anyone else who can man the point guard position in the event that incoming freshman floor general Caleb Love leaves college for the NBA. That’s where Jalen Warley comes into play.

A combo guard with tremendous size at 6-feet-5-inches tall and 180 pounds, Warley’s stock has been steadily rising over the past several months. Now, squarely a 5-star recruit in the 247Sports Composite, Warley is one of the top players at his position in the class.

He’s already got nearly 20 scholarship offers, including ones from Florida State, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Memphis, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Virginia. And although Warley is yet to receive a traditional blue blood offer, North Carolina could be on the cusp according to THI’s Andrew Jones, despite the fact that he released a list of 10 finalists in early June that includes each of the aforementioned schools. If the Tar Heels do decide to officially throw their name the ring, don’t be surprised is Warley gives them some consideration.

A gifted ball-handler and scorer, Warley is just as good of a driver as he is a shooter. He’s also a terrific passer, capable of finding his teammates in position to score. Warley is tremendous off the bounce, and in pick-and-roll situations, and he’s aided by his size and long arms. He takes advantage of mismatches and defensive lapses, shooting three-pointers if the defender allows him too much space, or driving the lane for a layup if he gets the opportunity.

Currently ranked 23rd in the class of 2021 according to the 247Sports Composite, Warley is the No. 3 prospect among combo guards, and tops in the state of Pennsylvania. Keeping It Heel will continue to follow Warley’s recruitment in the event that North Carolina gets involved in the eleventh hour.