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UNC Basketball: Tar Heels’ 5-star target stands out at weekend tournament

By Blake Cockrum

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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5-star UNC basketball target stands out at the Battle for Georgia tournament over the weekend

Despite having what might be the deepest and most talented front court in all of college basketball this season, Roy Williams and the North Carolina Tar Heels continue to target some of the nation’s top front court prospects in the class of 2021 and beyond.

Among them are Chet Holmgren and Caleb Houstan, a pair of consensus top-10 prospects whose recruitments are as hot as any in the country. They’re also recruiting Jabari Smith, a 6-foot-10, 210-pound power forward out of Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Georgia. Smith is holding over a dozen scholarship offers, including ones from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU and Tennessee, among others.

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Smith was among those who stood out over the weekend at the Battle for Georgia tournament at the LakePoint Sports Champions Center. Rivals recruiting analyst Dan McDonald was impressed with Smith’s play, highlighting the rising senior in his latest piece.

"“The top-five prospect in the 2021 class certainly played like one for the Atlanta Celtics on Sunday,” McDonald writes. “The 6-foot-9 forward has always been known for his ability to play both on the perimeter and in the paint, but where he’s really grown over the last year is how much tougher he is playing how much stronger he is. He keeps getting better and better and has a really high ceiling. Auburn, Georgia, LSU, North Carolina and Tennessee are among the schools in the mix for the five-star prospect.”"

Once a tall, lanky prospect, Smith’s body has continued to fill out over the past couple of years. He now adds formidable height, weigh and length to an already budding post game that includes an effective jump hook. Despite his ability to play on the low blocks, though, Smith is more of a face-up power forward with shooting range out to the three-point line. His athleticism is improving and he’s a decent passer for his position. He’s also a good rebounder, and has the ability to be a game-changer on the defensive end.

Smith is the No. 4 prospect in the class of 2021 according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s second among power forwards in the class, and No. 1 in the state of Georgia.

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Stick with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on the Jabari Smith recruitment, as well as everything UNC basketball.

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