Incoming UNC freshman Caleb Wilson remains the highest-rated recruit the program has landed in the 2020s

Wilson, a 6-foot-10, 205-pound five-star forward from Holy Innocents Episcopal School in Georgia, holds the No. 5 spot in On3’s final 2025 rankings released Monday. He also ranks fifth in the site’s composite list, which averages standings across all major recruiting outlets. He leads a strong three-player recruiting class for the Tar Heels.

“Caleb Wilson has a great frame, solid length, and natural explosiveness,” wrote On3’s Jamie Shaw in his final evaluation. “He’s very effective in tight spaces, with efficient footwork and ball-handling in the half court. As he continues to build strength, it’ll improve his balance and base even more.”

Wilson committed to North Carolina in January and made it official during the spring signing period. He trails only Duke’s Cameron Boozer, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, Tennessee’s Nate Ament, and BYU’s AJ Dybantsa—who holds the top spot nationally—among On3’s top prospects.

Wilson is joined by four-star guards Derek Dixon (ranked No. 45) and Isaiah Denis (No. 61) in a 2025 Tar Heel class ranked No. 5 nationally and No. 2 in the ACC by On3.

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 Bundalo

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.