From the moment it was announced that Michael Malone was being hired by North Carolina, a lot of the focus has been on the job he'll need to do in retaining key players. Not only that, but Malone needs to get on the horn as soon as possible to connect with 5-star commits Dylan Mingo and Maximo Adams.
Michael Malone's toughest task is getting even harder with another portal entry
With Mingo in particular, he's been radio silent for a little while and that's not a surprise at all - he didn't expect Hubert Davis to get fired and he also had a close relationship with Marcus Paige, who has since left Chapel Hill to join the staff at Charlotte.
Because of this, there's concern that maybe Mingo will open his recruitment back up. While that's still on the table, nothing has been finalized there. Unfortunately, a fake report of him decommitting has gone semi-viral on social media. This is not accurate at all, as Mingo is yet to make any kind of a decision.
Rumors of Dylan Mingo backing off his North Carolina pledge are totally inaccurate
Unfortunately, that social media post we linked above indeed has made the rounds and people have assumed that the 5-star combo guard is now giving serious looks to other programs. Again, that could end up being the case down the road, but for now, Mingo remains locked in to play for the Tar Heels.
Him, Adams and Malloy Smith are the playmakers for the 2026 class and the hope among the Carolina faithful is that all three will be making the move to campus later this year. Mingo will do so ranked five stars and the No. 2 combo guard in the country per the 247Sports Composite.
He's one of the top players in the country - there's a reason so many UNC fans are downright fired up to see him take the ACC by storm next season. It's going to be on Malone and his new staff to make sure that happens. Hopefully we get a final decision from Mingo in the near future, but any reports of him abandoning the Tar Heels is simply not true - and it's unfortunate internet trolls are choosing to make it seem like he has.