UNC Basketball: Is this top target eventually headed to Duke?

This top UNC Basketball recruiting target could land in North Carolina but it’s not to where the Tar Heels imagine him going

The UNC Basketball program has now missed out on recruits in back-to-back weeks as they saw targets head to Kentucky and Purdue. But Roy Williams and his staff still have their eyes set on a few top players left on their recruiting board for 2021 and hope to add to their two-man class.

One of those targets is five-star forward Patrick Baldwin out of Wisconsin.

Baldwin is ranked as the No. 1 ranked player in the entire 2021 recruiting class per 247 Sports and is a talent that several top programs are after. He received a total of 23 offers in his recruitment but has recently trimmed his list to 10 schools including North Carolina.

But where do the Tar Heels stand?

Well, as time has gone on the Tar Heels have stayed in this recruitment and the longer it goes on, it should mean good news for UNC. However, it sounds like two programs have emerged as the likely destination for Baldwin.

In an article for 247 Sports, recruiting insider Eric Bossi offered some insight on the top remaining uncommitted recruits and were they could eventually end up. For Baldwin, Bossi offered his thoughts on where he thinks the recruit will end up and it’s not good news for UNC fans:

"Though Baldwin cut his list down to 10 some time ago, there are only a few programs out there with a realistic shot of landing him. The skilled offensive player and dangerous jump shooter can play all over the frontcourt and isn’t likely to be in college long. There is a chance that he could decide in time for the early signing period, but recently indicated his choice will come within a month or two after the 11th. The most likely options for Baldwin at this point appear to be either Duke or playing for his father at Milwaukee."

Ouch.

Not only is UNC’s rival, Duke, mentioned in the article as the possible destination for Baldwin but the Tar Heels aren’t even mentioned. Instead, it’s Milwaukee where his father Patrick Baldwin Sr. coaches.

That’s disappointing for the Tar Heels as they currently have two players committed but are hoping to land that five-star recruit to improve this class. With Baldwin likely not an option, the Tar Heels need for Hunter Sallis grows.

For more on UNC Basketball recruiting, please check back with Keeping It Heel.