UNC Basketball offers 4-star SF Trevor Keels

On Tuesday night, it was announced that UNC added another scholarship offer to its 2021 recruiting class. That offer went to Trevor Keels, a small forward from Paul IV Catholic High School in Fairfax, Virginia. The night time offer continues the fun tradition that our staff lovingly calls “Scholarships After Dark”.

Currently a four-star prospect, Keels is a 6-5, 210-pound small forward/shooting guard. The three main recruiting services vary in his current ranking but, with a year and half of development remaining before he steps foot on a college campus, these are likely to fluctuate.

ESPN: SG, 4-star, #25 (national), #4 (position), #2 (state)
Rivals: SF, 4-star, #32 (national), #8 (position), NR (state)
247 Sports (organic): SG, 4-star, #45 (national), #8 (position), #2 (state)
247 Sports (composite): SG, 4-star, #35 (national), #5 (position), #2 (state)

A consensus top-50 player, Keels is a versatile wing player with an increasing ability to score from all three levels. Relying on power, strength and body control, instead of explosiveness or elite athleticism, his talents would add a key skillset to a still-developing perimeter lineup for 2021-22. Anthony Harris (his former high school teammate), Puff Johnson, and Leaky Black are currently the only true wings expected to be on campus for Keels’ freshman season. Check out these quick highlights.

Keels is the fifth recruit to hold a UNC from the 2021 class. The Heels have also offered point guard Kennedy Chandler, shooting guard Patrick Baldwin, power forward Paolo Banchero, and center Chet Holmgren. Those other recruits are considered the #1 or #2 players at their respective positions. Baldwin, Banchero, and Holmgren are considered the #2, #3, and #4 players in the country according to the 247 Sports Composite, while Chandler slots in at #15.

Keels very well could rise to their level over the next 12 months, as Roy has shown a penchant for offering players before they gain additional notoriety as seniors. Coby White, Day’Ron Sharpe, and Nassir Little are all recent examples. However, as we alluded to last week, this could also be another example of the coaching staff casting a wider recruiting net in an attempt to get a jump on the 2021 class. With the 2020 class currently all accounted for, the UNC staff can focus their attention on the nation’s top juniors.

Keels’ offer is the latest evidence of that increased emphasis.