UNC basketball misses out on 5-star target but it’s not a surprise

One of the top guards in the Class of 2026 revealed his list of five finalists, one that doesn't include Hubert Davis and the UNC basketball program.

No, you shouldn't be surprised at all by this.

Deron Rippey Jr., the No. 5-ranked player in the Class of 2026, is now focused on the following programs: Duke, Miami, NC State, Tennessee and Texas. Other programs, such as North Carolina, Kentucky, Louisville and Syracuse, have been eliminated from contention.

What this means for North Carolina

This news isn't shocking, considering that the latest news has pointed toward North Carolina heading in a different direction.

For starters, communication between the Tar Heels and Rippey Jr.'s camp have died down in recent weeks, and the UNC basketball program's interest in fellow five-star Dylan Mingo has significantly ramped up in that time period.

What this appears to be is this: North Carolina must've felt that they were falling behind in the Rippey Jr. sweepstakes, ultimately leading them to put all their eggs in Dylan Mingo's basket.

Both players are tremendous in their own right. However, there was no chance of UNC landing one (or potentially even both) during this recruiting cycle. The Tar Heels had to decide how to proceed, as their lack of communication recently tells the tale of the route they decided to go.

Now, the focus is on Dylan Mingo, a player that certainly felt the love from Tar Heel faithful this weekend during his official visit. While falling out of the race for Deron Rippey Jr. is disappointing, it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, as North Carolina will now pivot to other potential options on the recruiting market, Dylan Mingo being at the forefront of those recruiting efforts.

Don't worry- the Tar Heels might just end up seeing Rippey Jr. down the road, as three of his finalists reside in the ACC. It shouldn't be stunning to think he may end up in Raleigh or Durham when this process comes to a close.