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UNC Basketball Encounters Rivals in Battle for Coveted Forward

The UNC basketball offer sheet has included five-star Florida prospect Toni Bryant for a few months.
Matt Giles|
UNC basketball recruiting prospect Toni Bryant
UNC basketball recruiting prospect Toni Bryant | Ernst Peters/The Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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North Carolina Tar Heels

Roughly three months after extending an offer to North Tampa Christian Academy (Fla.) junior phenom Toni Bryant, the UNC basketball recruiting team appears to remain firmly in the mix for the 6-foot-9, 200-pound forward.

ALSO READ: Tar Heels Still in Full Pursuit of Elite Point Guard Deron Rippey Jr.

At this weekend's loaded PUMA PRO16 League grassroots session in Wichita, Kan., the Tar Heels were among almost two dozen programs with a presence in the stands to watch Bryant compete against other top-tier preps. And UNC wasn't the only blueblood on hand, as Duke, Kentucky, and Kansas also sent assistants to check in on the five-star and his development as an explosive talent.

Others in attendance for Bryant included head coaches from Missouri, LSU, Miami, and Kansas State, League Ready's Sam Kayser reported on Sunday, plus assistants from Cal, USF, Ole Miss, Ohio State, Texas, Gonzaga, Cincinnati, Xavier, Georgia, Clemson, Michigan, Arizona, and Purdue.

Toni Bryant currently stacks up at No. 13 overall, No. 4 among power forwards, and No. 2 in Florida on the 247Sports 2026 Composite.

He has visited several schools, including his recent NC State basketball tour, and he's scheduled an official visit to Missouri in September. For now, though, Bryant has neither taken nor scheduled a trip to Chapel Hill to check out the UNC basketball program.

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

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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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