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UNC Basketball: Tar Heels’ 5-star target set to visit Duke, Kentucky

By Blake Cockrum

Mar 9, 2021; Greensboro, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski argues with an official as his team plays against the Boston College Eagles in the first round of the 2021 ACC men's basketball tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2021; Greensboro, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski argues with an official as his team plays against the Boston College Eagles in the first round of the 2021 ACC men's basketball tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /
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5-star center Dereck Lively II is fresh off a visit with the UNC basketball program with trips to Duke and Kentucky on the horizon.

Prior to the spring, Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels might not have had such a battle on their hands for little-known 4-star prospect Dereck Lively II. But with scholarship offers continuing to stack up, and upcoming visits to both Duke and Kentucky, nabbing the rising senior from Bellefonte, Pennsylvania will be no easy task.

"“I’ve been working really hard over the last year and I’ve added a lot to my game,” Lively told Sports Illustrated’s Jason Jordan last week. “I simply just wanted to show what I’ve been working on. That’s it.”"

A 7-foot-1, 220-pound center at Westtown School, Lively has a distinguished offer sheet that includes Florida, Florida State, LSU, Maryland, Memphis, Miami, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, UCLA and Xavier. He’s got 20 offers in total, and has firmly established himself as one of the nation’s top big men.

But it may be the offers from Duke and Kentucky — along with North Carolina — that end up shaping the Lively recruitment. He recently visited the Tar Heels’ campus in Chapel Hill, and he’s preparing for trips to Lexington (June 20) and Durham (June 29). Will the trio of blue blood programs leave a lasting impression on young Lively? That’s yet to be seen, but I’d bet that they play a part in the decision-making process leading up to his commitment.

"“I’m probably going to cut my list in the next month or two,” Lively said. “I don’t really have a timeframe on it, it’s just whenever I feel the time is right. I know it’ll be tough because I have a lot of great options."

Along with his terrific size and wing span, Lively has a versatile offensive skill set that allows him to hit shots from the perimeter and spread the floor. He’s runs the floor exceptionally well for a player north of seven feet tall, and he’s a game-changer on the defensive end of the court. The latter will be particularly true once he adds some weight to his thin, wiry frame.

Lively is ranked 35th in the class of 2022 according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s the No. 4 center in the class, and first in the state of Pennsylvania. He’s the 24th-ranked prospect per the ESPN100, and even higher in the Rivals150 at No. 14.

Next. Tar Heels pushing for 4-star prospect. dark

Check back with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on the Dereck Lively II recruitment, and everything UNC basketball.

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