UNC Basketball: Impact of suprise commitment from 5-star C Walker Kessler

What Kessler going to UNC means

First off, the idea that the Tar Heels don’t make hard pushes for five-star talent should be put to rest. While they aren’t as reliant as Duke and Kentucky on this route, UNC Basketball will always be a preferred destination for the best high school players. Five-star freshmen Cole Anthony and Armando Bacot are expected to have a huge impact, while Day’ron Sharpe and now Kessler are part of the 2020 recruiting class.

UNC Basketball now joins both Duke and Kentucky as the only other programs with multiple five-star commits in the 2020 class. And don’t be surprised that they land at least one more, with stars Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Todd and Ziaire Williams showing strong interest in the Tar Heels. Considering that they used mid-major grad transfers to plug up some holes (a risky process in itself) this offseason, the program clearly plans to have everything ready for the 2020-21 season to contend for another national title.

As for Kessler picking the Tar Heels, it’s a testament to head coach Roy Williams and his development of big men. He turned a former preferred walk-on in Luke Maye into an All-American and a champion and there are countless other examples of former Tar Heel bigs become future college stars. And unlike both Duke and Kentucky, bigs who go to North Carolina won’t get pushed down the depth chart if they aren’t great as freshmen.

This could very well mean that he’s planning on staying multiple seasons in Chapel Hill. With another top-20 center in Sharpe part of the class, it’s not a guarantee at all that Kessler would start at the center spot. Could those two play together and Kessler play at the four-spot? He can spread the floor offensively but lacks the athleticism to guard at that position. And even if no other big men join the 2020 class, the freshmen would still have to contend with upperclassmen Sterling Manley and Garrison Brooks still around on the roster. By no means are playing time promised to these guys and with Nassir Little as a recent example, the fit could always end up being an issue too.

If this is a decision with short-term reasons, this is confusing as things could very well go wrong for Kessler and his standing – that doesn’t even have to do with him. Sharpe could explode as a freshman himself and take all the minutes at the five-spot, while Brooks and Manley could emerge themselves as veterans who should be on the court.

But if this is a long-term decision where Kessler is okay with being in college for a few years and not jump early – this could be the perfect situation. Give him time with Coach Williams and that coaching staff and he could put up Maye-like numbers over time. It also provides elite depth for the Tar Heels in the frontcourt and keeps them a national contender for years to come. It was a surprise he picked UNC Basketball and there are risks involved. But the potential rewards make it worth it for Walker Kessler.