NC State Staff Makes Inroads with UNC Target Deron Rippey Jr.

The new NC State coaching staff is making early moves on the recruiting trail, recently paying a visit to highly touted point guard Deron Rippey Jr., a player who has long been on UNC’s radar.

Rippey, the son of former East Carolina standout Deron Rippey, received an offer from North Carolina in late December—one of his dream schools. The Tar Heels had been tracking the 6-foot-2, 175-pound Blair Academy (N.J.) standout since his sophomore year, signaling serious early interest.

Despite that history, a new recruiting update from 247Sports analyst Brandon Jenkins did not mention UNC among Rippey’s most involved suitors. Instead, Jenkins highlighted NC State’s recent push under first-year head coach Will Wade, noting the Wolfpack staff visited Rippey just last week as they work to establish a presence in his recruitment.

According to Jenkins, programs like Alabama, Arkansas, Louisville, NC State, Rutgers, and Syracuse are currently the most engaged. He also praised Rippey’s elite athleticism and feel for the game, describing him as someone who “moves different than everyone else on the floor” during the 3SSB Circuit Session I in Texas.

While North Carolina could still be in the mix, the latest insights suggest the Tar Heels may no longer be among Rippey’s top-tier contenders. As part of UNC’s 2026 recruiting class, Rippey is one of several high-profile targets still weighing their options — most of whom are consensus five-star prospects.

UNC basketball’s anticipated 2025–2026 rankings show yet another decline.

The fifth UNC basketball roster under Hubert Davis’ command isn’t getting much respect from national media.

Only two scholarship members of the 2024-25 UNC basketball team are locked in for the 2025-26 Tar Heels. But fifth-year head coach Hubert Davis and his cohorts are set to welcome a three-deep, No. 7-ranked recruiting class plus five veteran transfers, including four of the four-star variety, who comprise a portal haul that currently stacks up at No. 17 in the country.

All in all, it’s promising roster. However, judging by UNC’s various placements either just inside or just outside the projected top 25, the collection is by no means a clear-cut championship contender in the eyes of most college basketball experts.

And as further evidenced by UNC’s three-spot fall to No. 25 in ESPN college hoops expert Jeff Borzello’s updated rankings released on Tuesday, Davis and his Tar Heels — now about two weeks removed from their most recent roster addition — are losing ground to those programs that are still making some big moves in the portal.

Borzello views UNC basketball as the third-best squad in the ACC, albeit sitting well below No. 6 Duke and No. 7 Louisville in his top 25.

He forecasts a Tar Heel starting five of junior guard Kyan Evans, senior guard Seth Trimble, sophomore forward Jonathan Powell, freshman forward Caleb Wilson, and redshirt junior big man Henri Veesaar.

UNC Basketball gets a commitment from transfer big man. Henri Veesaar

After an aggressive recruiting push, the UNC basketball program has secured the big man they were targeting

On Friday afternoon, Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar officially committed to North Carolina, giving the Tar Heels a much-needed frontcourt presence. The 7-foot Estonian native will bring two years of eligibility to Chapel Hill.

Veesaar entered the transfer portal on March 31, and UNC was quickly identified as a top contender for his services. The Tar Heels prioritized getting him on campus before the NCAA’s recruiting dead period, signaling their strong interest — which was clearly mutual.

During his two seasons at Arizona, Veesaar developed steadily. While he only started five games in his sophomore year, his production significantly improved — averaging 9.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game. His ability to stretch the floor makes him a unique asset at the five spot; he shot 16-for-49 (32.7%) from three-point range last season and thrived in pick-and-roll situations.

UNC entered the offseason in dire need of size and athleticism, and Veesaar fits that mold perfectly. While there were several quality big men available in the portal, it always seemed like he was the Tar Heels’ top target.

The addition of Veesaar is a major boost to the program’s offseason plans, filling a critical gap in the frontcourt. While point guard remains an area of focus, bringing in Veesaar marks a key victory for Hubert Davis and his staff.

With this commitment secured, attention now turns to how the rest of the roster will come together ahead of the 2025–26 campaign.

Inside For the 2025–2026 season, Zayden High is anticipated to rejoin the UNC basketball program, Carolina confirmed.

After missing the entire 2024–2025 season, Zayden High is now expected to rejoin the North Carolina men’s basketball team, according to Inside Carolina.

High’s status with the Tar Heels had been a subject of speculation throughout the early offseason. He was not with the team last year and reportedly wasn’t enrolled at UNC during the fall semester. However, his re-enrollment for the spring sparked optimism among fans that he might return to the court.

That hope is now reality, as Inside Carolina has confirmed High is on track to rejoin the program for the 2025–2026 season.

As a freshman, High saw limited playing time but flashed potential in his brief appearances. In just over 100 minutes of game action, he impressed with his athleticism and energy—qualities that could allow him to contribute meaningfully in the future.

Though taking a year off from competition is far from ideal—especially for a team that could’ve used more frontcourt depth—his return signals that whatever challenges sidelined him are now in the past. While his exact role remains to be determined, it’s encouraging news for the Tar Heels to have High back in the mix heading into the new season.

Trio of UNC basketball players showcase their smarts by landing offseason ACC honors

UNC Trio Shines Off the Court: Davis, Lubin & Tyson Earn Prestigious ACC Academic Honors

While the 2025 season may not have ended the way Tar Heel fans hoped, a trio of North Carolina basketball players just scored a major win—this time in the classroom.

Veteran leader RJ Davis, bruising big man Ven-Allen Lubin, and transfer wing Cade Tyson were all named to the ACC All-Academic Team, a prestigious honor recognizing excellence both on the hardwood and in academics. Despite their differing roles and futures with the team, all three exemplified what it means to be true student-athletes at a program that values both brains and basketball.

Earning Respect Beyond the Stats

To land on the All-Academic Team, players must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA while appearing in at least 50 percent of their team’s games. That bar may sound simple, but it’s no small feat in a program like UNC’s, where long travel schedules, high-stakes matchups, and the national spotlight demand elite time management and dedication.

RJ Davis, who wrapped up his UNC career as the undisputed leader of the Tar Heels, is now working toward a graduate certificate in leadership development—a fitting next step for someone who led by example on and off the court. Averaging a team-high 17.2 points per game, Davis was not only the engine of the offense but a mentor to younger teammates.

Ven-Allen Lubin, who fought his way into the starting lineup mid-season and brought a relentless presence in the paint, is currently listed in the transfer portal. But he’s voiced his desire to return to Chapel Hill. His major? Exercise and sport science—a natural fit for someone who lives in the trenches and understands the demands of elite athletics.

Then there’s Cade Tyson, a former Belmont standout whose UNC debut didn’t go as planned. Struggling to find consistency, he never quite cracked the rotation. But in the classroom, Tyson has kept pace. Also majoring in exercise and sport science, his academic commitment stands as a reminder of the discipline required even when the spotlight dims. With UNC lacking depth at small forward, Tyson could still have a pivotal role next season—if he stays.

More Than Athletes

This recognition isn’t just a feel-good footnote. It’s a glimpse into the culture being cultivated under head coach Hubert Davis. Despite the disappointment of a Round of 64 loss to Ole Miss, the Tar Heels have shown growth, resilience, and a commitment to developing well-rounded young men.

As college athletics continues to evolve—with NIL deals, transfer portal chaos, and relentless competition—it’s increasingly refreshing to see programs like UNC still emphasizing what the term “student-athlete” truly means.

Whether these three return to the court in Carolina blue next season or take their talents elsewhere, they’ve already proven that their impact goes far beyond the box score.