All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Recruiting Class Slides Again in National Ranking

UNC basketball has fallen to fifth place on the 2024 recruiting trail.

Matt Giles

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

The 2024 UNC basketball recruiting class didn't suffer a "loss" recently, nor did any of its three members drop in the individual rankings. But the Tar Heels, who once held the top-ranked haul in the cycle before current rookie guard Elliot Cadeau reclassified, have slid to fifth in the national class ranking, per 247Sports.

Their most recent two-spot fall results from additions by Kentucky and Texas.

Kentucky, now up to four 2024 pieces, landed a commitment from five-star center Jayden Quaintance on Tuesday. His addition bumped the Wildcats to second in the country, below only Duke's five-deep class.

Then, on Wednesday, Texas snagged a pledge from five-star guard Tre Johnson, giving the Longhorns their third top-50 recruit in the cycle and allowing them to edge out the Tar Heels slightly in the ranking.

UNC basketball's collection appears complete. It includes Northwood High School (N.C.) five-star forward Drake Powell, ninth on the 247Sports 2024 Composite; Our Saviour Lutheran (N.Y.) five-star guard Ian Jackson, 10th in the class; and Link Academy (Mo.) four-star center James Brown, 68th overall.

All three future Tar Heels inked their national letter of intent last week during the early signing period.

Considering only a handful of the top-100 preps in the cycle remain undecided, fifth may be as far as the Tar Heels will drop.

Meanwhile, UNC basketball head coach Davis and his crew are pursuing nine 2025 targets and have yet to land their first commitment from those current high school juniors.

UNC Watches Newly Offered Top Recruit in California

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