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UNC Basketball: Tar Heels’ 4-star wing could quickly surpass expectations

By Blake Cockrum

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on as they play against the Iona Gaels during the first half of the game in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on as they play against the Iona Gaels during the first half of the game in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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4-star UNC basketball commit Dontrez Styles could be a difference-maker early in his career with the Tar Heels, analyst says.

North Carolina basketball fans might be underselling the value of 4-star small forward and class of 2021 commit Dontrez Styles. That’s certainly what 247Sports national recruiting analyst Eric Bossi seems to think.

When asked which unheralded prospect in the 2021 class could make the biggest impact upon arriving on campus next year, Bossi named Styles.

"“Each time I go back and review film of Dontrez Styles and look at how he fits at North Carolina from both a style of play and positional need perspective he strikes me as a player who could open some eyes sooner than expected in college,” Bossi writes. “He’s a big wing with athleticism, he runs the floor and he’s built to play the uptempo style that Roy Williams loves. I know wings don’t like to hear it, but I also love that he could be used some as a small ball four man to create mismatches. His passing is underrated and I love the idea of getting him into the high post to make some decisions and cause problems for a defense. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Kinston (N.C.) product eventually made his way to the NBA.”"

The 4-star wing committed to North Carolina in April of this year without a ton of fanfare or hoopla. But maybe there should have been. As Bossi notes, not only is Styles a skilled player with great size for his position, but he’s also a really versatile piece that the Tar Heels should be able to utilize in a myriad of ways.

The 6-foot-7, 205-pound wing, ranked 58th in the nation and 15th among small forwards, will probably have to share playing time with several other Tar Heels when he gets to Chapel Hill next fall. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Styles take a starting position the following season, though, particularly with the departure of incumbent starter Leaky Black on the horizon.

As Bossi notes in his latest piece, Styles could play multiple positions for Roy Williams and the Tar Heels, making use of his size and athleticism to create mismatches for opponents. He could also play very well off of would-be sophomores Day’Ron Sharpe and Walker Kessler, as well as current sophomore Armando Bacot, if he decides to remain at UNC for his junior season.

dark. Next. 4-star forward turns down Tar Heels

Stick with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on Dontrez Styles, and the 2021 UNC basketball recruiting class.

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