All Tar Heels

Five-Star Target PG Chooses Rival Over UNC

This five-star point guard ended up committing to North Carolina's greatest rival.
Jordon Lawrenz|
Mar 28, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Alyssa Ustby (1) makes a pass behind Duke Blue Devils forward Delaney Thomas (12) at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA Today Network via Imagn Images
Mar 28, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Alyssa Ustby (1) makes a pass behind Duke Blue Devils forward Delaney Thomas (12) at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA Today Network via Imagn Images | Gary Cosby Jr-Imagn Images

In this story:

North Carolina Tar Heels

After Tar Heels fans were stuck waiting months to learn of five-star point guard Autumn Fleary's decision, North Carolina failed to land the 2026 No. 12 overall player.

HC Courtney Banghart did a great job keeping the Tar Heels in the mix, but she had her work cut out for her up against LSU, UCLA, and Duke. Ultimately, Fleary chose the Blue Devils.

While fans will be disappointed, the Tar Heels still have Kate Harping to look forward to. Their Class of 2026 is ranked No. 17, according to 247Sports. Keep in mind, Banghart has just one commitment for the Class of '26.

Harping committed back on August 9, 2025. She remains the lone target UNC has been able to secure, though Fleary was on their list for quite some time. Thankfully for Tar Heels fans, they're still in the mix for a pair of five-stars.

Addison Bjorn has yet to reveal her commitment date, but surely it's on the horizon. Duke, UConn, Iowa, among others are in contention for Bjorn. The five-star player would be a much-needed addition to Banghart's Class of '26, one that has gone with quality over quantity.

Other than Bjorn, UNC still could land No. 14 Olivia Jones. The competition for Jones doesn't seem to be as steep as they're competing for the New York native against Miami, Vanderbilt, and Maryland.

Mar 27, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; UNC Tar Heels head coach Courtney Banghart talks with the media before her team works out during practice day at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images | Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Before this point, no team had recruited more than three players. Duke, Kentucky, and Indiana. The Wildcats lead the way with a trio of five-stars.

Duke has two, along with a four-star, but the addition of Flearly should put them ahead of Kentucky in terms of the top recruiting Class in 2026. For what it's worth, Indiana has one five-star and a pair of four-stars.

10 teams remain ahead of UNC with a pair of commitments. At this point, UNC and its five-star recruit put them in the mix with Michigan State, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Maryland, Iowa, Tennessee, and USC.

ESPN notes how close the Tar Heels were to landing No. 1 Saniyah Hall before she decided to commit to USC instead. The Trojans sit at No. 16 in the Class of 2026 as Hall is rated slightly higher than Harping.

Please follow us on X when you click right here!

Please make sure you follow us today on our Facebook page when you click right here!

Published
Jordon Lawrenz
JORDON LAWRENZ

Jordon Lawrenz serves as the Eastern United States College Recruiting beat writer On SI. Jordon is an accomplished writer covering the NFL, MLB, and college football/basketball. He has contributed to PFSN’s and Heavy’s NFL coverage. Having graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay with a Sports Communication and Journalism degree, Jordon fully embraced the sports writing lifestyle upon his relocation to Florida.