Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Tar Heels’ 2021 recruiting class could look a lot like this

By Blake Cockrum

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels watches his team play against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles during the first half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on November 16, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels watches his team play against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles during the first half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on November 16, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 04: Chet Holmgren #34 of Minnehaha Academy Red Hawks dribbles the ball against the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers during the first half of the game at Target Center on January 04, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Chet Holmgren

Despite having one of the deepest and most talented front courts in college basketball, Roy Williams and company continue to push for some of the top-rated bigs in the class of 2021. That group of bigs is highlighted by Chet Holmgren, the nation’s No. 1-ranked center, and according to some publications, the No. 1 overall prospect.

A 7-foot, 190-pound prospect out of Minnehaha High School, Holmgren is one of the most coveted prospects in the nation. His 30-plus scholarship offers read like a who’s who list of college basketball’s elite programs prior to naming a group of seven finalists. Along with North Carolina, Georgetown, Gonzaga, Memphis, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio State remain on Holmgren’s list of potential schools.

https://twitter.com/ChetHolmgren/status/1276637574665207808

Holmgren is one of the most unique and versatile big men in the class of 2021. He’s a good ball-handler for his size, has a nice jump shot out to the three-point line and finishes extremely well at the rim. He utilizes his tremendous length and wingspan to deflect passes and block shots on the defensive end of the court. He’s got good athleticism, a great feel for the game and a high basketball I.Q.

If there’s a knock on Holmgren, it’s his lack of strength. He’s one of the skinniest prospects I’ve ever seen, particularly for a 7-footer. If he can add weight to his thin, wiry frame, he’ll be a far more physically imposing player on both ends of the court.

A couple of months ago, Rivals recruiting analyst Corey Evans stated that Gonzaga, Minnesota and Ohio State have the lead in Holmgren’s recruitment over the likes of Georgetown, Memphis, Michigan, North Carolina and others.

One of Holmgren’s good friends, Jalen Suggs, will be a freshman at Gonzaga this season. Although Suggs would likely be gone by the time Holmgren would arrive in Spokane next year, that’s still an in-road that the Bulldogs have with the 5-star big man. The Buckeyes have been recruiting Holmgren for some time now, and have built a strong relationship with him and his family. Minnesota, however, may have the biggest advantage in Holmgren’s recruitment. Holmgren’s father played for the Golden Gophers in the 1980s, and his mother worked for the school. They’re also within striking distance of Holmgren’s home in Minneapolis.

That being said, there still appears to be quite a bit of time left in Holmgren’s recruitment. He’s likely to cut his list at least one more time prior to making a final decision, and he doesn’t seem to be in much of a rush to do so. Will the Tar Heels and others have time to make up ground on the current leaders before Holmgren cuts his list?

Holmgren is ranked second in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s the No. 1 center in the class, and first in the state of Minnesota. He’s ranked first in the Top247, and in the ESPN100.

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