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UNC Football Recruiters Target Duke Basketball Pro's Brother

Perhaps the UNC football staff is trying to make a bold statement by extending an offer to Giulio Banchero.
Matt Giles|
UNC football head coach Bill Belichick
UNC football head coach Bill Belichick | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

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North Carolina Tar Heels

When Bill Belichick became the new UNC football head coach in December, the six-time New England Patriots Super Bowl champion admitted his first words as a child were "Beat Duke" due to his father, Steve Belichick, being a Tar Heel assistant at the time.

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On that note, it wouldn't be a surprise if Bill Belichick had "Beat Duke" on his mind when putting his stamp of approval on a UNC football offer to O'Dea High School (Wash.) junior Giulio Banchero this week. After all, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound wide receiver/cornerback is the younger brother of 2021-22 Duke basketball one-and-done and former NBA Rookie of the Year forward Paolo Banchero.

In his post announcing the offer out of Chapel Hill, Giulio Banchero included a childhood picture, featuring himself and Paolo Banchero, from his attendance at a UNC basketball game in the Dean E. Smith Center.

Giulio Banchero is a three-star prospect checking in at No. 81 among athletes and No. 14 in his state on the 247Sports 2026 Composite.

UNC football is only his second offer, joining the Montana State Bobcats.

Meanwhile, Bill Belichick and his cohorts already enjoy four early commits in the 2026 cycle, currently comprising the No. 21-ranked class in the country, per 247Sports, No. 5 in the ACC.

ALSO READ: Tar Heels Add Elite West Coast Athlete to 2026 Recruiting Haul

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC football recruiting 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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