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When you watch UNC men's basketball games this coming season, you'll notice plenty of new faces. 10, to be exact.
North Carolina landed another 3-man high school recruiting class, featuring 4-star small forwards Maximo Adams and Kevin Thomas, plus combo guard Malloy Smith. The Tar Heels also landed Sayon Keita and Alexandros Samodurov from Europe, plus collegiate transfers Matt Able, Neoklis Avdalas, Terrence Brown, Cade Bennerman and Angelo Brizzi.
In SportsCenter Next's final 2026 recruiting class rankings, the Tar Heels land 10th overall, one spot ahead of Oklahoma State and a slot behind Mizzou.
Arkansas tops this list, which comes as no surprise given John Calipari's extensive recruiting background. Duke, Kansas, Texas and Michigan round out the Top Five.
Looking at UNC's newest additions, Able, Avdalas and Brown are all likely Day One starters. Brown started all 32 games for Utah a season ago, averaging nearly 20 points and four assists per game. Avdalas started all 31 of his Virginia Tech appearances, averaging 12.1 points and 4.6 assists per game, while Able averaged 8.8 points across 34 reserve appearances for NC State.
Keita, who played last season at FC Barcelona, is the current favorite to start at center. Samodurov likely competes with returner Jarin Stevenson for minutes at power forward, while Adams and Thomas likely battle with Avdalas for small forward minutes.
New head coach Michael Malone knows how to develop talent, as evidenced by his work with 3-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić. North Carolina has a great roster for Malone's first year as collegiate coach, which Tar Heel Nation is increasingly ready for.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC men's basketball's 2026 recruiting class ranked Top 10 by ESPN
Continue reading...
North Carolina landed another 3-man high school recruiting class, featuring 4-star small forwards Maximo Adams and Kevin Thomas, plus combo guard Malloy Smith. The Tar Heels also landed Sayon Keita and Alexandros Samodurov from Europe, plus collegiate transfers Matt Able, Neoklis Avdalas, Terrence Brown, Cade Bennerman and Angelo Brizzi.
In SportsCenter Next's final 2026 recruiting class rankings, the Tar Heels land 10th overall, one spot ahead of Oklahoma State and a slot behind Mizzou.
Arkansas tops this list, which comes as no surprise given John Calipari's extensive recruiting background. Duke, Kansas, Texas and Michigan round out the Top Five.
Looking at UNC's newest additions, Able, Avdalas and Brown are all likely Day One starters. Brown started all 32 games for Utah a season ago, averaging nearly 20 points and four assists per game. Avdalas started all 31 of his Virginia Tech appearances, averaging 12.1 points and 4.6 assists per game, while Able averaged 8.8 points across 34 reserve appearances for NC State.
Keita, who played last season at FC Barcelona, is the current favorite to start at center. Samodurov likely competes with returner Jarin Stevenson for minutes at power forward, while Adams and Thomas likely battle with Avdalas for small forward minutes.
New head coach Michael Malone knows how to develop talent, as evidenced by his work with 3-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić. North Carolina has a great roster for Malone's first year as collegiate coach, which Tar Heel Nation is increasingly ready for.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC men's basketball's 2026 recruiting class ranked Top 10 by ESPN
Continue reading...
