Tar Heel to lose out to Kentucky for key 2023 target?

The UNC basketball class of 2023 is off to a terrific start as it currently holds two commitments from consensus five-star prospects.

The Tar Heels have the No. 1 overall player in the class from both Rivals and 247Sports with 6-foot-9 forward GG Jackson, and also have the commitment from five-star point guard Simeon Wilcher.

The looming target that the Tar Heels are extremely active on the recruiting trail with is five-star hybrid wing Matas Buzelis. Buzelis has offers from Kentucky, Duke, and North Carolina among many others and has taken visits to Kentucky, Florida State, and Wake Forest.

Not only is the coaching staff targeting Buzelis, so are Wilcher and Jackson.

“Matas. That’s who we are trying to get. We are trying to get Matas,” Wilcher previously said. “That would complete, I wouldn’t say complete but that will be a force to reckon with. Especially with Seth and all those guys that will be there when we get there, I think it will just all work out. We really have a chance to win it, instead of falling short.”

But, one recruiting analyst gave a prediction for another shade of blue. 247Sports national recruiting analyst Travis Brahnam made a prediction for Buzelis to wind up in Kentucky when it’s all said and done.

He did give a caveat and say it was his ‘way too early prediction’ and noted that a decision is not expected soon.

Buzelis is ranked No. 7 in the updated 247Sports rankings for the 2023 class and the No. 3 small forward.

247Sports analyst Jerry Meyer broke down his game.

At 6-10 has exceptional length for a highly developed skill set.Has a very thin build but can absorb contact. Is a smooth athlete with wiggle and capable of scoring around defenders. When not euro stepping to finish, prefers to finish off two feet. Shoots the ball well from outside but does have a low release at this point. Midrange scoring is an are for development where there is great potential. Handles the ball extremely well. Has a high dribble but it is…