All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball: Tar Heels Host Explosive Recruit From Nearby

An emerging wing on UNC basketball's radar will likely be at the UNC football home game versus Minnesota.

Matt Giles

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

One of North Carolina's premier high school sophomores, small forward Coleman Cloer, is in Chapel Hill this weekend for an unofficial visit with the UNC basketball program, according to the visit tracker that 247Sports' Travis Branham published on Friday.

RELATED: Giant 2026 Prep Draws 'A Lot of Interest' From UNC

Cloer, who attends Orange High School in Hillsborough (less than 15 miles from UNC), is the only reported Tar Heel recruiting prospect in town. Presumably, he'll watch the UNC football team battle visiting Minnesota at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday in Kenan Memorial Stadium.

The 6-foot-6, 180-pound athletic four-star ranks No. 34 overall, No. 2 in the state, and No. 12 among small forwards on the 247Sports 2026 Composite, which debuted earlier this week.

"Cole obviously needs some development, as you expect from someone so young," 247Sports national recruiting director Eric Bossi said, "but he looks to be a legitimate wing with plus size. He has a gorgeous jump shot, he's a good athlete, and he seems to have a little bit of fire in him...

"He checks a lot of boxes of a guy who looks like a potential big-time wing."

As only a freshman for Orange last season, he averaged 20.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.

Although many programs, including the Tar Heels, have not begun handing out 2026 offers, Cloer already holds a handful, including from a pair of in-state schools in Appalachian State and Wake Forest. And he's been on the radar of the UNC basketball coaches and their NC State basketball counterparts for months.

What does Coleman Cloer think of the Tar Heels?

"UNC is great," he told Branham shortly after Hubert Davis' staff contacted his school earlier this summer. "That's 30 minutes away from my house. I would be close to home, and it's a blue blood. It's one of the best programs in the country and has been for many years."

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