The incoming college basketball freshman class is drawing plenty of attention following the close of the 2024-25 season

Top recruits like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer are set to headline the next wave of stars. Ranked No. 3 nationally, Cameron Boozer will suit up for Duke alongside his brother, four-star recruit Cayden Boozer, and five-star forward Nikolas Khamenia.

On Sunday, Khamenia shared a set of photos on social media accompanied by the caption: “I had a purpose before anyone else had an opinion.” Cameron Boozer replied, giving props to his future teammate, writing: “W caption.”

According to 247Sports, Cameron Boozer trails only Dybantsa and Peterson in the 2025 class rankings, while Khamenia sits at No. 15 and Cayden Boozer at No. 24.

All three are joining one of college basketball’s most storied programs under head coach Jon Scheyer. Duke finished last season with a 35–4 record and a trip to the Final Four, powered by standout freshmen Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach.

It remains to be seen if the Boozer brothers and Khamenia will have the same immediate impact, but expectations are high for Duke’s incoming class.

A former basketball target for UNC decommits after being selected unexpectedly.

Back in the fall, UNC basketball was in the mix for longtime Tar Heel fan Niko Bund all

The 6-foot-10 senior forward from Prolific Prep (Calif.) had listed UNC among his top nine schools and later included them in his final four, alongside UConn, Michigan State, and Ohio State. However, in a surprising move last November, Bundalo committed to Washington — a program that hadn’t made his previous shortlist.

Now, the recruitment race is back on. Multiple reports on Tuesday confirmed that Bundalo has been released from his signed commitment to Washington and is once again available.

Ranked No. 31 nationally in the 2025 class by the 247Sports Composite, Bundalo is now the second-highest ranked uncommitted prospect in the cycle.

It remains uncertain whether UNC head coach Hubert Davis will pursue him again, though Bundalo’s deep-rooted connection to the Tar Heels — inspired by his mother’s admiration for Michael Jordan — could make Chapel Hill a natural fit. The Tar Heels still have roster spots open for next season.

UNC Basketball Makes the Cut for the Elite Forward List

The UNC basketball program remains in the hunt for five-star recruit Anthony Thompson, who announced his top 15 schools over the weekend.

In early January, Western Reserve Academy (Ohio) standout small forward Anthony Thompson received an offer from Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis. Nearly four months later, UNC has secured a spot on his shortlist.

On Friday, Thompson revealed his top choices on social media, naming UNC along with BYU, Texas, Xavier, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Georgetown, Indiana, Auburn, Notre Dame, Purdue, Ohio State, Michigan State, and Michigan.

The 6-foot-8, 185-pound left-hander narrowed his options after drawing over 30 scholarship offers early in the 2026 recruiting cycle.

According to the 247Sports 2026 Composite rankings, Thompson currently sits at No. 11 overall, No. 3 among small forwards, and is the No. 1 prospect in Ohio.

“Whenever Anthony Thompson is in the gym, it’s tough to find a jump shot that looks better,” 247Sports’ Eric Bossi recently observed, also noting Thompson’s impressive “nearly 7-foot-3 wingspan.”

The Tar Heels have issued numerous offers to 2026 prospects and remain firmly in the mix for many of their top recruiting targets.

A second UNC basketball starter arrives at the portal before the deadline.

UNC basketball has now seen several players opt to explore the transfer portal

On Monday morning, just under two days before the portal deadline, Tar Heels forward Ven-Allen Lubin announced his intention to enter the transfer portal.