All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Recruiters Present 'Serious Threat' in Five-Star Race

UNC basketball may be a strong contender for Isiah Harwell, but the Tar Heels must fend off Gonzaga.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

When surveying the recruitments of the nine undecided five-star talents on the 2025 UNC basketball wishlist, one could argue the Tar Heels stand the best shot at landing Wasatch Academy (Utah) guard Isiah Harwell.

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound smooth playmaker, No. 7 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, grew up rooting for the Tar Heels. As Rivals' Rob Cassidy noted this week, Harwell's UNC fandom was "in a contrarian effort to spite his older brothers, who supported Duke."

In assessing the Isiah Harwell sweepstakes, Cassidy tagged Gonzaga — the first school to lock in an official visit from the 17-year-old phenom — as the perceived frontrunner among the nine finalists he named in October. That list also includes UNC, Alabama, Baylor, Houston, Texas, Idaho State, Cal, and UCLA.

However, Cassidy labeled the UNC basketball coaches as "the serious threat" to the Bulldogs. And he pointed out that Harwell, who took an unofficial visit with the Tar Heels in September 2022 en route to becoming the first in the 2025 cycle to receive an offer from head coach Hubert Davis, is likely to return to his "dream school" soon:

"Harwell has already been on campus in Chapel Hill for a multi-day unofficial visit and is expected to return for an official at yet-to-be-determined date. If such a trip takes place, it seems possible that North Carolina will pull even with the Bulldogs at the top of Harwell’s recruitment.

"There isn't much to separate the two programs, so listing Gonzaga as the slight favorite is simply a product of the blue chip prospect's upcoming official to Spokane."

Harwell's trip to Gonzaga is on tap for the weekend after next.

UNC Signee James Brown Steps Up Recruiting Efforts

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