Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball “in thick of hunt” for five-star guard

By Nick Delahanty

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Hubert Davis of the North Carolina Tar Heels directs his team during the game against the UC Riverside Highlanders at the Dean E. Smith Center on November 17, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 77-52. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Hubert Davis of the North Carolina Tar Heels directs his team during the game against the UC Riverside Highlanders at the Dean E. Smith Center on November 17, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 77-52. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Hubert Davis and the UNC basketball program are said to be among the frontrunners in the sweepstakes to land this five-star talent.

Since extending an offer to five-star guard Isiah Harwell on September 27, 2022, the UNC basketball program seemed to be among the favorites in his recruitment.

After releasing a top 9 list, one that included the Tar Heels, the latest development in Harwell’s recruitment seems to echo that sentiment.

Rob Cassidy of Rivals recently spoke to the No. 1-ranked player in the state of Utah and the No. 7-ranked player in the Class of 2025 (According to 247Sports Composite) about where his recruitment currently stands. Although he’s down to 9 schools (North Carolina, Gonzaga, Baylor, Houston, Texas, UCLA, Cal, Alabama, and Idaho State), it has the feeling of being a two-team race.

Here’s what Harwell had to say about the UNC basketball program:

"“That’s been my dream school growing up, and the visit was amazing. Just being able to sit down and have a conversation with Hubert Davis and all the coaching staff was cool.”"

When asked about what he’s seen from the Tar Heels this season, Harwell had some good things to say, especially regarding current freshman guard Elliot Cadeau.

"“They’re playing good, team basketball. Elliot [Cadeau] is moving that thing around and getting everyone involved. I like that.”"

Regarding the two-team race, Cassidy speculates that this decision could come down to Gonzaga and North Carolina. With a second visit to Gonzaga upcoming, Cassidy believes that February could be a huge month in his recruitment.

"There’s still plenty of time left in Harwell’s recruitment, so things could change as he continues to take visits. For the time being, however, Gonzaga and North Carolina feel like the clear frontrunners. The five-star guard’s second visit to Spokane could provide Gonzaga with the opportunity to separate itself from the pack, however, so February could be a massively important month for Harwell’s process."

We’ll have to wait and see how it goes, but for now, the UNC basketball program seems to be in a position where they could make a strong push for one of the best players in the Class of 2025.

Next. UNC Basketball cracks top 10 in latest AP Poll. dark

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