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Stock-Riser Rejects Chatter About UNC Basketball Recruitment

An exceptional 2025 forward contends the UNC basketball staff remains in contention for his services.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball recruiting target Nikolas Khamenia
UNC basketball recruiting target Nikolas Khamenia / Sam Ballesteros/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Around this time last month, Harvard-Westlake School (Calif.) senior was in Chapel Hill for an official visit with UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his cohorts. And the 6-foot-8, 210-pound power forward, a four-star talent who has jumped 32 spots since January to No. 27 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, included the blueblood among his five finalists back in August, along with Duke, UCLA, Gonzaga, and Arizona.

ALSO READ: Five-Star UNC Target Sets Two Dates to Finalize Decision

Even so, some insiders have recently suggested that the Tar Heels are no longer in the mix.

According to the recruit himself, though, that's just not the case. On Tuesday, Khamenia informed HS Top Recruits that, despite those growing rumors to the contrary, he's indeed still considering UNC and Arizona, in addition to his other three finalists.

One week after touring the UNC basketball facilities, Khamenia returned to Tobacco Road for an official visit with Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his crew. He visited Gonzaga last year and, most recently, checked out UCLA in person this past weekend..

Nikolas Khamenia hasn't locked in an end date to his high-profile recruitment. That said, the coveted stretch-four has mentioned that he hopes to pick a winner this month, presumably with eyes on putting his commitment in ink during the early signing period in November.

For now, UNC basketball boasts one 2025 commit in Gonzaga College High School (D.C.) four-star combo guard Derek Dixon.

ALSO READ: New UNC Sharpshooter Puts Advanced Craft on Display

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI 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.

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