All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Recruiting: Four-Star Prep Hearing From Tar Heels

Cole Cloer is still a potential UNC basketball recruiting target.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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The UNC basketball recruiters have yet to extend offers on the 2026 trail. However, their interest in the class has picked up in recent months. That includes an unofficial visit in mid-September from Cole Cloer, a four-star at nearby Orange High School who averaged 20.1 points while shooting almost 40 percent from three as a freshman.

Cloer, a 6-foot-6 athletic wing sitting at No. 33 overall and No. 2 among North Carolina prospects on the 247Sports 2026 Composite, played pick-up games with some of the 2023-24 Tar Heels during that trip to Chapel Hill. Soon after, UNC basketball assistant coach Jeff Lebo visited Cloer at his school.

In a recent chat with On3 national recruiting expert Jamie Shaw, Cloer implied that UNC remains a candidate to join his growing list of suitors.

"We're hearing from UNC," he mentioned to Shaw. "I've been there a couple of times on [unofficial visits]."

Roughly a week after Cloer last visited UNC, rival NC State officially entered the fray for his services. He's been in Raleigh to check out the Wolfpack.

Meanwhile, he told Shaw that he hopes to attend a football game at Tennessee. The Volunteers added him to their wishlist earlier this month.

"I'm going to be looking closely at fit," he explained to Shaw about the eventual decision-making process in his recruitment. "That's the biggest thing for me. I won't be committing to a school but to a coach. I want to play for a coach in a system that welcomes me for who I am already on and off the court."

Others in contact include Kansas, Notre Dame, Purdue, and Virginia.

Mother of UNC Guard Helps With Recruiting Efforts

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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