Another twist in the recruiting efforts for UNC and Michael Malone? Sure, why not. With the Tar Heels on the hunt for more center help, a lot of the focus in recent days has been on Paris Basketball big man Mouhamed Faye, who could make an immediate impact for the Heels next season.
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Well, while we were hoping for him to commit this week, Malone and Chuck Martin have not been able to lock things up there. Because of that, other teams have gotten involved in trying to poach him away from the Tar Heels. The list includes St. John's, as Rick Pitino also needs center help after missing out on Massamba Diop. Time for Carolina fans to worry?
Boumtje Boumtje had previously been on the radar for Michael Malone/UNC but fell off the board recently.
— Shelby Swanson (@shelbymswanson) April 30, 2026
Malone and Chuck Martin are still abroad this week, with plans to visit France as the Tar Heels close in on top international target Momo Faye, a source confirmed to the N&O. https://t.co/97q30U3xDy
St. John's and Rick Pitino appear to be making a move on UNC target Mouhamed Faye
Why is Pitino getting involved in the process so late? In case you missed it, St. John's went all-in to land Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop. Things were looking good for the Queens side, but Diop ended up picking Gonzaga.
It was a huge whiff for Pitino, but now it could have a negative impact on Malone. Malone and Chuck Martin met with Faye recently, not long after the Tar Heels received the verbal pledge from 5-star center Sayon Keita - that was a huge get for the Heels.
Once the news dropped that Maxim Logue ran into academic hurdles and that he'd no longer be Chapel Hill-bound, the interest in Faye rose for the Tar Heels and pressure was added for him to reel in his new top target. It's not going to be easy, though.
Malone is putting in the work, but again, St. John's jumping in late like this is not ideal. They've got NIL money free now too that they had budgeted for Diop. BYU is rumored to be interested in Faye as well, which only complicates things even more. There's a battle going on for Faye and we're hoping Malone comes out on top. We should find out soon if he does, but other teams getting involved like this feels like trouble.
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