North Carolina will host its first official visitor in nearly seven months this weekend when Bryce Thompson heads to Chapel Hill.

It's not an exaggeration to say Thompson's recruitment has been unlike any other since Roy Williams returned to Carolina more than 16 years ago.

His father, Rod Thompson, played for and was recruited by UNC assistant coach Steve Robinson, who was then head coach at Tulsa. Rod Thompson and Robinson kept in contact throughout the years, and Robinson reached out in 2018 when Bryce Thompson showed signs of being a high-major player. That connection led Williams and Robinson to come up with an idea - someone other than Williams offering a scholarship to a recruit for the first time in his tenure.

Thompson picked up the UNC offer from Robinson on May 2. A little more than a month later, Thompson and his family took an unofficial visit to UNC. Since then, the Carolina staff has maintained a high-interest level in Thompson, and will get a chance to make a more lasting impression during the official visit.

A 6-5, 175-pound guard from Tulsa, Okla., Thompson has narrowed his list to seven schools: Oklahoma State, Kansas, North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan State, and Arkansas. Rod Thompson told 247Sports National Recruiting Director Evan Daniels that they may also visit Texas Tech, though the Red Raiders aren't on their final school list. Thompson is the No. 14 player in the senior class, according to 247Sports. Thompson led the Under Armour circuit in scoring this summer with 25.3 points per game.

Williams and his coaching staff like Thompson's skill, character, and ability to knock down shots. With the Tar Heels losing three of their likely top perimeter scorers following this season, Thompson and his scoring prowess are a priority for the Tar Heels, who are recruiting him as a combo guard.

Rod Thompson told Inside Carolina on Wednesday that the goal of the official visit is to "see what campus is like when classes are in session and students are there. We want (Bryce) to see what student life is all about, because when we came in the summer it was mostly a basketball trip."

Thompson took junior season official visits to Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas A&M, and Michigan State. He was at Texas for an official visit last week, and is set to be at Oklahoma State on Sept. 28, Kansas on Oct. 4 (unofficial), Arkansas on Oct. 19, and Michigan State on Oct. 26.

Bryce Thompson on North Carolina

"North Carolina is a pretty big school, a big name school. It's pretty big time. They (UNC)... know my work ethic, and know I'm a gym rat. They said they like the little stuff, how I play hard and the intangibles I bring. He (Robinson) said I fit in their system perfectly.

Rod Thompson on North Carolina

"North Carolina is always North Carolina. Just getting out and seeing it with our own eyes, it definitely gave us even more of a comfort level. It's such a great University and coaching staff. You always see the Smith Center on television, but to walk in there and see that blue in there... it's different from what you're used to… There are only a few universities where their guys come back and spend time and entire summers. It speaks volumes about (UNC) that they have guys come back and play and instruct and do those type of things."

Coach's Take

"His offensive repertoire and weaponry is unique to anyone I’ve seen. I’ve coached great shooters, guys who play with great pace, guys who were great from the mid-range, and guys who had that change of speed to their games. I’ve never coached anyone that has all of it like Bryce does. During the high school season, his ability to get to the free throw line is uncanny. You always hear coaches and parents say ‘he’s a great kid, he’s a great kid’ about their players. But I’m telling you, this kid is an unbelievable human being.” - Conley Phillips, head coach at Tulsa (Okla.) Booker T. Washington

Expert's Take

"He’s one of the more advanced scorers in the 2020 class. Combo guard with good size and decent length. Big-time scorer who can knock down shots from all three levels. Very crafty with ball in his hands and uses handle and footwork to create his own shot. Difficult shot maker with fadeaways and runners in his arsenal. Given his vision and scoring ability, can play on and off ball. Has size and feel to defend multiple positions." - 247Sports National Recruiting Analyst Josh Gershon