UNC Basketball: 5-star recruit to North Carolina looking like done deal

Is the UNC basketball program poised to reel in its first 5-star commit of the Hubert Davis era?

Just hours before Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels got a commitment from former Marquette standout and sophomore transfer Dawson Garcia, North Carolina picked up a Crystal Ball prediction for West Side’s Jalen Washington, one of the top big men in the class of 2022.

But now, just a day later, the Tar Heels have gone from one Washington-to-UNC Crystal Ball prediction to six. Not only that, they’ve picked up five predictions from recruiting analysts and insiders on Rivals.

That’s more than just a good sign that Washington could end up in Carolina uniform next season, particularly because it’s rare to see that many identical predictions submitted within such a short time span without good reason. It’s also incredibly rare to see many predictions end up being wrong.

So, am I buying into the hype for North Carolina to reel in its first 5-star recruit of the Hubert Davis era as head coach of the Tar Heels? I absolutely am, and I don’t think we’ll be waiting that long for an announcement. There’s a growing belief that a commitment could be coming as soon as this weekend, and I wouldn’t be shocked if that were the case. And what a recruiting victory it would be for the first-year head coach and his new-look squad.

Washington is, after all, one of the best front court prospects in the nation, and one that projects to be a real difference-maker at the college level. The Gary, Indiana native has a terrific blend of size, strength, skill and athleticism. He’s one of the most versatile high school basketball players in the nation, frequently showcasing his ability to dribble, drive, pass and shoot from all over the court. Add to that his uncanny rebounding skills and his propensity for playing disruptive defense, and Washington is the full package.

Washington, who currently stands at 6-feet-9-inches tall and 210 pounds, is ranked 21st in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s fourth among centers, and No. 1 in the state of Indiana. Rivals has Washington ranked similarly at No. 26 overall, and fifth at his position.

Check back with Keeping It Heel as we continue to follow developments in the Jalen Washington recruitment, as well as everything on the UNC basketball program.