All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball: Duke Enters Fray for Major Tar Heel Target

Over half of UNC basketball's 2025 targets also hold offers from Duke.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis (Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports)
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The UNC basketball program and its Duke basketball counterpart appear to have notably high hopes on the 2025 recruiting trail. All seven Tar Heel targets are five-star talents ranking among the top 20 on the 247Sports 2025 Composite. And the eight-deep Blue Devil wishlist has a similarly ambitious look.

In fact, as of the latest announcement of a Duke offer, the Blue Devils are now pursuing four of their Tobacco Road archrival's seven targets.

Perry (Ariz.) five-star power forward Koa Peat, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound versatile bruiser who boasts a No. 3 composite ranking and is the son of former nine-year NFL offensive lineman Todd Peat Sr., revealed his offer from second-year Duke head coach Jon Scheyer on Tuesday night.

Third-year UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his staff have been in the mix for Peat (now boasting over 30 offers) since late April.

Koa Peat is just one piece of proof that both Davis and Scheyer are determined to land at least one premier 2025 power forward.

Each also has offers out to Holy Innocents Episcopal (Ga.) five-star power forward Caleb Wilson (No. 5 overall) and the top-ranked 2025 prep in Christopher Columbus (Fla.) five-star power forward Cameron Boozer, son of 2001 Duke national champ Carlos Boozer.

RELATED: Huge UNC Target Sounds High on Tar Heels

That's not to mention Boozer's twin brother, five-star combo guard Cayden Boozer (No. 19).

UNC's other three 2025 targets are Huntington Prep (W.Va.) five-star shooting guard Darryn Peterson (No. 2 overall), Wasatch Academy (Utah) five-star small forward Isiah Harwell (No. 6), and Overtime Elite (Ga.) five-star power forward Bryson Tiller (No. 4).

Neither the Tar Heels nor the Blue Devils have landed a commitment in the class at any position. But it's worth noting that neither has anyone else in the country, as it's still extremely early in the cycle, with high school juniors only beginning to schedule official visits for the first time.

However, it feels inevitable that Hubert Davis and Jon Scheyer will have head-to-head battles in the late stages of a few high-profile recruitments in the cycle.

Of course, judging by their recent successes in the recruiting arena — as things stand, UNC basketball ranks No. 1 in 2024, per 247Sports, while Duke finished No. 1 in 2022 and No. 2 in 2023 — chances are at least one or two of the above names end up playing for either the Tar Heels and Blue Devils.

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.

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