Former UNC Basketball Target Decommits From Surprise Pick

UNC basketball was a finalist for lifelong Tar Heel enthusiast Niko Bundalo back in the fall.

Former UNC basketball recruiting target Niko Bundalo | Kevin Whitlock / Massillon Independent / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Prolific Prep (Calif.) senior forward Niko Bundalo included the UNC basketball program in his top nine last year. The Tar Heels then survived his next cut too, as they landed in his final four back in October, along with UConn, Michigan State, and Ohio State.

ALSO READ: UNC Recruiting Prize Finishes Inside Top Five in Rankings

But in late November, the 6-foot-10, 215-pound gifted lefty announced his commitment to Washington, surprising folks in light of the fact that those Huskies weren't even on his list.

Now, though, Bundalo has reopened the race. On Tuesday, multiple outlets reported that the top-tier four-star asked for and received a release from his signed Washington pledge.

NEWS: 2025 4⭐️ and McDonald’s All-American Niko Bundalo is reopening his recruitment, a source told @LeagueRDY.

Bundalo is a 6-10 forward who played his senior season for @ProlificPrep. He originally chose Washington over UConn, Michigan State and many others.

#34 in the… pic.twitter.com/7SdH26jsq8

— Sam Kayser (@247HSHoops) April 29, 2025

At No. 31 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, Bundalo suddenly becomes the second-highest ranked prospect still up for grabs in the cycle.

There's no telling if UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis will reinitiate contact with Bundalo in hopes of adding the admitted Tar Heel fan — Bundalo's Chicago-native mother began rooting for the program due to her Michael Jordan fandom — to his fifth roster in Chapel Hill.

It's worth noting the Tar Heels still have a few openings for next season.

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball news.