Big news in the world of college basketball recruiting broke late Sunday night, with the announcement that five-star center prospect Walker Kessler has committed to play at UNC–joining the Tar Heels’ class of 2020.

Kessler is a 7-foot, 245-pound big man with a versatile offensive game that is effective both inside and on the perimeter. He is currently a senior at Woodward Academy in Fairburn, Georgia.

Prior to announcing his decision to commit to UNC, it was widely expected that he would be taking his talents to head coach Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke Blue Devils.

He is currently ranked as the No. 15 prospect in the country regardless of position by 24/7 Sports, which gave him an 18 percent chance of joining the Tar Heels–compared to a 64 percent chance he would join the Blue Devils.

Following an official visit to UNC this past weekend, head coach Roy Williams was–to the surprise of many–able to convince the talented big man to end his recruitment.

Kessler is the second recruit to join the Tar Heels’ class of 2020, following in the footsteps of another five-star big man, Day’Ron Sharpe (No. 17 national ranking, South Central High School, Winterville, NC).

As a junior in high school last season, he posted averages of 21 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.4 blocks per game.

 

 

Photo via ESPN

Related Stories
‹
Tar Heel Athletes, Teams Volunteer Around Chapel Hill for Annual Montross Day of Service
To honor the birthday of the late Eric Montross, The Rams Club issued a call to action for UNC teams and fans to volunteer.
Are They Eligible? Keeping Up with UNC's Rece Verhoff, Cameron Fens and Others
Student-athletes across the country are currently embroiled in an eligibility fight against the NCAA. The athletes, who graduated high school in 2022, are seeking a fifth year of eligibility under the NCAA’s new rules. However, the NCAA is countering that the rule only applies to students currently in college from the 2026-27 academic year forward. […]
The Morning News: CHCCS Bus Issue, Chapel Hill Poet Laureate Search, UNC Men's Basketball Schedule
In today's news: UNC scholars study the impact of the CHCCS bus snafu on families, and Chapel Hill seeks a new poet laureate.
UNC Men's Basketball Releases 2026-27 ACC Schedule
The ACC revealed the men’s basketball league schedule for the 2026-27 season Wednesday afternoon. UNC’s league games begin Dec. 30 and end March 6. Mark your calendars 📅 pic.twitter.com/BXaZ7OHdJd — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) September 9, 2026 The Tar Heels will begin conference play by hosting Cal at the Smith Center Wednesday, Dec. 30. Carolina is […]
The Morning News: Orange County Honors Jamezetta Bedford, Michael Lombardi Resigns
In today's news: Orange County names its new crisis diversion facility after the late County Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford.
Michael Malone Announces Full UNC Men's Basketball Coaching Staff
Michael Malone and the UNC men’s basketball program have officially announced the full coaching staff for the 2026-27 season, Malone’s first as head coach of the Tar Heels. Official. pic.twitter.com/KmX5Ct793x — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) September 3, 2026 The staff features three holdovers from former head coach Hubert Davis’ staff: Sean May and Pat Sullivan will […]
'Something Much Bigger than Myself': Highlights from Michael Malone's Sep. 3 Press Conference
UNC men’s basketball head coach Michael Malone met with the media at the Dean Smith Center Thursday morning. In his comments, Malone addressed eligibility issues around center Cameron Fens, the shifting legal landscape around college sports, his coaching style and more. Read highlights from the press conference, which have been lightly edited for clarity, below: […]
UNC's Cameron Fens Now Ineligible After Tennessee Court Ruling
Cameron Fens, a seven-foot center who transferred to UNC from South Dakota earlier in August, is now ineligible to play for the Tar Heels in the 2026-27 season after ruling from the Tennessee Court of Appeals Wednesday. The court has issued a stay on the injunction granted to several athletes – Fens included – who […]
Full 2026-27 Roster, Jersey Numbers Announced for UNC Men's Basketball
The UNC men’s basketball program has announced its full roster, complete with jersey numbers, for the 2026-27 season, the team’s first under head coach Michael Malone. The squad is set 🔒 pic.twitter.com/oQ3cJfS4iH — Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) August 21, 2026 The roster features six players from the 2025-26 team: senior forward Jarin Stevenson, senior guard Jaydon Young, senior […]
The NCAA Has Won a Victory in the Class of 2022 Debate. What Does it Mean for UNC?
The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit granted a stay in the case of Wisne v. NCAA, temporarily putting on hold an injunction which had allowed student-athletes from the high school class of 2022 to play a fifth collegiate season this year. This ruling means players such as UNC kicker Rece Verhoff […]
›