Elite UNC Basketball Target Makes Some Cuts in Recruitment

UNC basketball is among the top 16 for premier 2025 shooting guard Darryn Peterson.
Photo credit: Julie Vennitti Botos-USA TODAY Sports

Huntington Prep (W.Va.) junior and UNC basketball recruiting target Darryn Peterson, No. 2 overall and No. 1 among shooting guards on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, has racked up over 30 offers.

RELATED: Twin Tar Heel Targets Suddenly Take First Official Visit Elsewhere

That's a lot of suitors to keep track of. So it makes sense that the 6-foot-5, 195-pound five-star has eliminated roughly half of them from contention in his recruitment.

According to a report from On3's Joe Tipton on Saturday afternoon, Peterson is now down to a top 16. Those remaining contenders are UNC, Auburn, Baylor, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, UCLA, Kansas State, South Carolina, Ohio State, Oregon, Kentucky, Louisville, and Michigan.

While there have not been any reports of scheduled official visits on Peterson's calendar, he is slated for an unofficial visit to Kentucky the second weekend in October.

Perhaps several months or more away from deciding on a destination after high school, Darryn Peterson is among the eight players in his class holding an offer from third-year UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis.

The others on the Tar Heels' wishlist are five-star guard Jasper Johnson, five-star forward Cameron Boozer, five-star guard Cayden Boozer, five-star forward Koa Peat, five-star forward Bryson Tiller, five-star forward Caleb Wilson, and five-star guard Isiah Harwell.

And Peterson is the only one who has named favorites.

RELATED: Reclass Candidate Jasper Johnson Was Tar Heel Fan as a Kid

Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC basketball 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.