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UNC Basketball Staff Touches Base With Prime 2026 Target

Four-star forward and frequent UNC basketball visitor Cole Cloer appears to remain at the center of Hubert Davis' 2026 radar.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball
UNC basketball / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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Caldwell Academy (N.C.) forward Cole Cloer, who recently announced his transfer from Orange High School in Hillsborough, has visited the Tar Heels several times. He became the first 2026 prospect to land on the UNC basketball offer sheet a few weeks ago.

And on Saturday, the first day college coaches are allowed to contact rising high school juniors directly, the 6-foot-7, 180-pound four-star was among the first to get a call from the Tar Heels, Rivals' David Sisk reported.

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The strikingly athletic Cloer ranks No. 25 overall and No. 1 in North Carolina on the 247Sports 2026 Composite. He has also heard from Oklahoma State, Louisville, NC State, LSU, and Ohio State since the open-contact period began this weekend, according to a post from MADE Hoops' Arman Jovic.

Plus, the potential five-star announced new offers on social media, as Louisville and Ohio State officially entered the fray for his heralded stretch-four services on Saturday.

Cole Cloer now holds roughly a dozen offers. That list includes one of the Tar Heels' Tobacco Road rivals in NC State.

Although Cloer remains the only 2026 UNC basketball offer recipient, Hubert Davis and his assistants have been busy scouting potential targets in recent weeks. Now that they can reach out to players in the cycle, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Tar Heel wishlist expand considerably in the coming weeks and months.

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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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