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UNC Basketball Absent From Five-Star Target's Visit Slate

Darryn Peterson has hinted at plans for a UNC basketball visit being in the works but thus far hasn't confirmed such a trip.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball recruiting target Darryn Peterson
UNC basketball recruiting target Darryn Peterson / Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK
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UNC basketball has handed out seven new 2025 offers in the past six weeks alone. Of course, one possible explanation for the spree is lost steam in five-star races that Hubert Davis and his Tar Heels entered much earlier in the cycle.

One such longtime target is Huntington Prep (W.Va.) five-star guard Darryn Peterson. Although the 6-foot-5, 195-pound rising high school senior has not eliminated UNC from contention, there hasn't been as much buzz of late when it comes the Tar Heels' chances.

Add in the recently revealed list of scheduled visits to date that doesn't include UNC — not yet, anyway. According to a recent report from On3's Joe Tipton, Peterson now looks to check out Kentucky, Louisville, Southern Cal, and Washington in August and September, in addition to his slated official visit to Ohio State on Aug. 1.

Plus, it's worth noting that Peterson, an electrifying backcourt talent who ranks No. 3 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite and has held a UNC basketball offer since April 2023, is fresh off last weekend's official visit to blueblood Kansas.

Nevertheless, as recently as early May, it sounded like he hadn't ruled out a trip to Chapel Hill at some point.

"I'm just trying to see what it's like down there," Peterson explained to Tipton when discussing his UNC suitors. "I watched some games this year. But I've been waiting to get an official visit for a while. [Their message] is to come there, get prepared for the NBA."

Peterson had been down to eight finalists, including UNC, until announcing the reopening of his recruitment in the spring.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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