Kate Harpring hasn't played a single official minute in a North Carolina uniform, but expectations surrounding the highly-touted freshman are already through the roof.
On Tuesday, the Atlantic Coast Conference revealed its women's basketball preseason honors for the 2026-2027 season. As expected, Harpring earned a spot on the ACC Preseason All-Freshman team and led the vote by over 100 points.
Expectations are rightfully sky high for Kate Harpring
𝗔𝗖𝗖 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗟𝗟-𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗛𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠
— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) October 13, 2026
About time to watch Kate shine 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ohf5OKxw6S
One of the highest-rated recruits in UNC women's basketball history, Harpring was touted as the No.1 player in the Class of 2026 by 247Sports. The 2026 Georgia Girls Gatorade Player of the Year and a 2026 McDonald's All-American finished her high school career as all-time leading scorer in the state of Georgia with 3,435 career points.
This marks the second straight year UNC has landed a player on the ACC Preseason All-Freshman team. Nyla Brooks earned the honor before starting her college career last season, and it's safe to say more accolades are coming for both Brooks and Harpring as they team up in Chapel Hill.
Harpring is a special talent whom UNC fans should be excited to see play this upcoming season. It's not often that you can bring in the top-ranked player in a recruiting class, but when you do, you definitely want to enjoy every minute of watching them compete for your program.
Based on what we know about her, it won't take long for Harpring to make her mark on the UNC women's basketball program.
ACC Preseason Honors: 2026-2027 Season
Preseason Player of the Year
Hannah Hidalgo, Sr., G, Notre Dame
Preseason All-ACC Team (76 voters)
Hannah Hidalgo, Sr., G, Notre Dame – 871
Toby Fournier, Jr., F, Duke – 767
Kymora Johnson, Sr., G, Virginia – 655
Uche Izoje, So., C, Syracuse – 466
Khamil Pierre, Sr., F, NC State – 456
Zoe Brooks, Sr., F, NC State – 455
Tajianna Roberts, Jr., G, Louisville – 265
Imari Berry, Jr., G, Louisville – 220
Talayah Walker, Jr., G, Georgia Tech – 202
Lulu Twidale, Sr., G, California – 113
Preseason All-Freshman Team
Kate Harpring, G, North Carolina – 493
Jacy Abii, G/F, Notre Dame – 376
Autumn Fleary, G, Duke – 274
Bella Flemings, G, Duke – 205
Missy Odom, F, Florida State – 99
Kimora Fields, F, Clemson – 96
Predicted Order of Finish (76 voters)
Duke (49) – 1,649
Louisville (22) – 1,580
North Carolina (1) – 1,462
Notre Dame (4) – 1,450
NC State – 1,337
Virginia – 1,085
Syracuse – 1,009
Virginia Tech – 1,003
Clemson – 988
California – 786
Miami – 689
Georgia Tech – 684
Stanford – 674
Florida State – 603
SMU – 373
Wake Forest – 296
Pitt – 236
Boston College – 170
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