UNC Basketball: Memphis enters race for top 2023 target

A new contender has entered the race for a top five-star UNC Basketball recruiting target in the 2023 class. And it might not be good news for Hubert Davis and his staff.

Five-star guard Robert Dillingham is set to take an official visit to Memphis this weekend, the first official visit for him in this recruiting cycle. Prior to this weekend, Dillingham has visited both UNC and N.C. State unofficially in his recruitment.

The 6-foot-1-inch, 160-pound Dillingham is one of the top prospects in the 2023 recruiting class, earning 19 total offers so far. He landed an offer from UNC back on Christmas Day in 2020 when Roy Williams was still head coach. But even with the change to Hubert Davis, UNC has pursued Dillingham heavily, identifying him as their top recruiting target.

Early on in Dillingham’s recruitment, UNC was labeled as the team to beat. The Charlotte, North Carolina native is right in UNC’s backyard giving them an advantage. That still remains true today however some other big time programs like Duke, Kansas and now Memphis are starting to get involved which could make Dillingham’s recruitment a little more interesting.

Since Penny Hardaway took over, Memphis has been able to land some big time recruits and now they have their eyes on Dillingham too. Memphis also has a UNC connection with Rasheed Wallace on Hardaway’s staff as well.

The 247Sports Crystal Ball still favors the Tar Heels and their toughest competition still just might be the pro route. But depending on how this visit goes with Memphis, things could change in a hurry for Dillinghmam’s recruitment.

Dillingham is ranked No. 9 nationally, No. 2 point guard and the No. 1 player in the state of North Carolina per the 247Sports recruiting rankings.

For more on Dillingham and other UNC Basketball recruiting targets, please check back with Keeping It Heel.