UNC Basketball: Tar Heels’ final 2021 recruiting class ranking

The UNC basketball program’s 2021 recruiting class finishes inside the nation’s top 50.

The 2021 recruiting cycle has finally come to a close, and the North Carolina Tar Heels’ freshman class ranks within the top 50 in the nation. Their two-man class is No. 41 according to the 247Sports team rankings, sandwiched between a pair of SEC programs in Mississippi State (40) and Vanderbilt (42).

Now, that may not be the typical company that UNC fans are accustomed to seeing the Tar Heels keep, but with just two prospects signed during former head coach Roy Williams’ final recruiting cycle, they weren’t likely to be ranked among the nation’s best this year.

That’s not to say, however, that the pair of recruits that committed to North Carolina aren’t good ones; they are. Both Dontrez Styles (65) and D’Marco Dunn (67) rank within the nation’s top 70 recruits. They’re also both top 15 prospects by position, and rank second and third, respectively, in their home state of North Carolina.

Having said all of that, the Tar Heels might have been in trouble this season, particularly in terms of depth, had first-year head coach Hubert Davis not been so active — and successful — on the NCAA transfer market this offseason. He was able to secure three players, including former fringe five-star recruit and Marquette standout Dawson Garcia. He also reeled in four-year Oklahoma starter Brady Manek, a proven three-point shooter that will be vital to the Tar Heels’ improved offense this season. Former Virginia Cavalier Justin McKoy also joins the fold in 2021, and should provide some solid minutes for the Tar Heels off the bench.

So, regardless of their sub-40 class ranking this year, the Tar Heels have a handful of additions to their 2021-22 roster that make them a serious competitor for an ACC title and a dark horse Final Four contender.

Check back with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on the UNC basketball program.