UNC Basketball: Tar Heels in all-out blue blood battle for 4-star prospect

Hubert Davis, UNC basketball program in all-out blue blood recruiting battle for top-50 prospect in class of 2022

The North Carolina Tar Heels are among a group of 20 schools to extend a scholarship offer to class of 2022 4-star prospect Dereck Lively II. Joining the Tar Heels in pursuit of Lively are Florida, Florida State, Georgetown, LSU, Maryland, Memphis, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, UCLA and Xavier; each of which have already offered the talented big man a scholarship. But also involved in Lively’s high-profile recruitment are Duke, Kansas and Kentucky, though just the Jayhawks have officially offered Lively to this point.

And judging by recent comments from the rising big man to Tipton Edits’ Joe Tipton, Lively’s recruitment could end up being a blue blood affair. Lively states that Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina are among the schools recruiting him the hardest, and are joined by Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State and Southern Cal.

Davis and his newly-appointed coaching staff will continue to put on the full-court press for Lively, as they’re likely going to be in need of a player with the kind of size he possesses, not to mention his tremendous skill on the basketball court.

In addition to his terrific height and wing span, Lively can spread the floor on offense with his ability to knock down shots from long range. He’s an excellent rebounder and rim protector, and runs the floor really well for his size. And if he’s able to add some muscle to his long, wiry frame, he’ll only be that much more of a problem for opposing teams.

The 7-foot-1, 220-pound Lively was initially offered a UNC scholarship from former North Carolina head coach Roy Williams, but Hubert Davis confirmed his own interest in the rising big man after taking the job in early April. Lively noted his interest in visiting the Tar Heels back in February, and nothing appears to have changed on that front in the months since.

Lively, to this point, seems like a perfect fit for the UNC basketball program, and one that could potentially end up in Chapel Hill the season after next. And there’s no doubt that Davis and his coaching staff would love to build their 2022 recruiting class around a player of Lively’s caliber.

Lively is the No. 35 prospect in the class of 2022 according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s fourth among centers in his class, and tops in the state of Pennsylvania.

Check back with Keeping It Heel as we continue to follow the Dereck Lively II recruitment, and everything regarding the UNC basketball program.