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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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 11: Head coach Archie Miller of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts during a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first round of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 11, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Trey Kaufman

4-star class of 2021 prospect Trey Kaufman took to Instagram last week to announce the five finalists in his recruitment. The standout senior from Silver Creek High School named Indiana, Indiana State, North Carolina, Purdue and Virginia as the programs he’d be moving forward with.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CE49DvOnCgj/?utm_source=ig_embed

None of the schools on Kaufman’s list came as a surprise, particularly Indiana and Purdue. The Hoosiers and Boilermakers have to be considered the favorites in his recruitment at this point. Even Indiana State, with its proximity to Kaufman’s home in Sellersburg, poses a threat to the two ACC powerhouses.

Kaufman unofficially visited the Tar Heels’ campus just days before cutting his list. Due to the NCAA’s current recruiting freeze, he was unable to meet with UNC coaches or personnel. He’s had plenty of contact with them via phone, text and virtual visits over the past several months, however, and gave the Louisville Courier Journal a glowing review of the Tar Heels upon naming them a finalist.

"“The culture that they have, you could really feel that when you went there,” Kaufman said. “National champions. All the people that they’ve had that have gone to the league. … I think I have a good chance of playing right away once I get there. Obviously, a legendary coach and his offensive set isn’t like run this play and next time run this play. It’s free-flowing.”"

Kaufman, the 2020 Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year, averaged 25.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.1 steals to help lead Silver Creek to a 25-2 record prior to the season’s abrupt ending due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He shot 64 percent from the floor, and 40 percent from beyond the arc.

He’s most dangerous when he’s got a head of steam on his way to the basket. He works well in the painted area, and doesn’t shy away from contact. He’s good at using creativity to get his shot up in traffic, and will finish with a big dunk when the opportunity presents itself. He won’t ever be the fastest guy on the court, or the one with the best ball-handling skills, but he’s got good size and a knack for getting his hands on loose balls. He’s a great rebounder, and uses his length to affect opponents’ shots on the defensive end of the court. He’ll also spot up from beyond the arc from time to time, and knocks down a high percentage of his long-range shots.

He’s the No. 55 prospect in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s 16th among players at his position, and second in the state of Indiana. The Top247 has him ranked even higher at No. 31 overall, and seventh among power forwards. He’s the 39th-ranked prospect in the nation according to Rivals, and the No. 11 power forward in the class.

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