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UNC Basketball Gets Cut From Five-Star Recruiting Race

One of the top three talents on the 2025 trail is no longer in play for the UNC basketball recruiting squad.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis
UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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In a week that has already seen the UNC basketball program land on a few 2025 targets' lists of finalists, Hubert Davis' Tar Heels fell short of that distinction in the Darryn Peterson sweepstakes on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: Five-Star 2025 Forward Caleb Wilson Eliminates Some Suitors

The Huntington Prep (W.Va.) guard, a 6-foot-5, 195-pound five-star who ranks No. 3 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite and has been on the Tar Heels' wishlist since April 2023, revealed a top eight of Arizona State, Ohio State, Kentucky, Southern Cal, Louisville, Kansas State, Washington, and Kansas.

At the end of June, Peterson confirmed upcoming visits to several of his suitors without mentioning any plans to check out the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill.

That was one of a few recent signs that UNC might be losing steam in its longtime pursuit.

Darryn Peterson becomes only the second UNC basketball target in the cycle to officially eliminate the Tar Heels from contention. The other is Wasatch Academy (Utah) five-star forward Isiah Harwell, who had Hubert Davis and his staff among his top nine but did not include them in the final four he announced in June.

As for the other 16 rising high school seniors who have received an offer from UNC, including a handful of elite backcourt prospects, they all remain undecided on where they'll play at the next level.

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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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