All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball: Five-Star Guard 'Grew Up a North Carolina Fan'

JJ Andrews is one talent UNC basketball should know on the 2026 trail.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis (Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)
In this story:

Little Rock Christian Academy (Ark.) sophomore JJ Andrews boasts a burly frame for his age and position. He's a versatile scorer and effective defender with high-level energy and top-shelf length. And the 6-foot-6, 215-pound guard was a UNC basketball enthusiast as a kid.

Andrews, a five-star prospect who ranks No. 17 overall on the 247Sports 2026 Composite, recently explained his Tar Heel fandom to Rivals' Rob Cassidy and noted that he's hoping to land on UNC's wishlist.

"My dream schools used to be North Carolina and Kentucky," he said. "Those are the ones I liked as a kid, so I guess those two offers would be big. I was born in North Carolina originally but moved when I was about three years old.

"I grew up a North Carolina fan, but I've become a little more of an Arkansas fan the longer I've lived down there."

At the USA Basketball Junior National Team Minicamp in Colorado earlier this month, 247Sports' Brandon Jenkins was impressed with JJ Andrews' performances against other heralded preps and provided the following breakdown of his game afterward:

"JJ Andrews was one of the more intriguing talents in the gym...He showed a lot of confidence in his defense and nailed a couple of three balls off the catch while on offense. Him owning a definite element of skill along with his physical tools gives him a great chance at being one of the more elite names in the class."

Although JJ Andrews holds only a handful of offers, it's still early in the 2026 cycle. Given his talent and "dream school" comments, he's one to watch when UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his crew begin officially pursuing players in his class.

Recruit From Durham Talking to UNC Head Coach Hubert Davis

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

Published
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.

Home/Basketball