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Kate Harpring is already putting the nation on notice even before her official UNC debut

The highly touted UNC freshman is the only first-year player on the prestigious preseason watch list.
ByNick Delahanty
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Mar 31, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kate Harpring (15) moves the ball against Lizzy Spaight (8) during the McDonalds All American Girls Game at Desert Diamond Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Mar 31, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kate Harpring (15) moves the ball against Lizzy Spaight (8) during the McDonalds All American Girls Game at Desert Diamond Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Kate Harpring came to Chapel Hill with plenty of hype, and now it's simply gone up to another level.

Harpring has been named to the 2026-27 Naismith Women's College Player of the Year Watch List, placing her among 50 players in contention for one of college basketball's most prestigious individual awards.

Here's the part that makes Harpring's inclusion particularly impressive: She's the only freshman on the entire list.

Before the regular season even starts, and before she even logs a single minute at the collegiate level, Harpring is already being discussed alongside some of the best players in the country.

Kate Harpring is already proving she's the real deal

Harpring arrived at UNC as one of the most decorated recruits in program history.

The Atlanta, Georgia native was the 2025-26 Naismith Girls' High School Player of the Year, a McDonald's All-American, and finished her high school career as Georgia's all-time leading scorer with 3,435 points.

She was also ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class by 247Sports.

When Courtney Banghart landed Harpring's commitment, expectations were that she would be an immediate difference-maker for the Tar Heels. During the preseason, Harpring proved that statement to be true.

Harpring wasted little time introducing herself to the college basketball world during North Carolina's two exhibition games. The freshman led the Tar Heels in preseason scoring, averaging 23.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.

Her biggest performance came in North Carolina's exhibition loss to Maryland, where Harpring poured in 29 points and added six rebounds.

Sure, they were only exhibition games, but there was plenty to like about how comfortable Harpring looked against college competition.

She didn't look like a freshman simply trying to find her way. Instead, she looked like someone who could immediately become a focal point of UNC's offense.

Her inclusion on the Naismith Award watch list might be surprising, given she's a true freshman, but her spot on the list is easily justified.

Of course, being named to a preseason watch list doesn't guarantee anything. Harpring still has an entire freshman season ahead of her, and there will undoubtedly be some growing pains along the way. However, if her two exhibition performances were any indication, the stage doesn't appear too big for her.

Harpring has the chance to put together a special career at UNC, as all eyes will be on her as she begins her college career next week in France when the UNC women's basketball program takes on Oklahoma.

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