All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Target Goes Off Against Fellow Five-Star Prep

Isiah Harwell would be a multidimensional addition to the UNC basketball backcourt.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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Not only is potential UNC basketball recruiting prize Isiah Harwell a crafty playmaker and smooth bucket-getter, but the Wasatch Academy (Utah) junior guard is also a proficient rebounder for his position. Moreover, as he demonstrated on Thursday night, he doesn't back down against big-time competition.

RELATED: Five-Star 2025 Recruit Refers to UNC as 'Dream School'

No, in his team's 90-77 win over powerhouse IMG Academy (Fla.) and fellow five-star 2025 guard Darius Acuff Jr. at the U.S. Steel La Porte Invitational in Indiana, the 6-foot-6, 200-pound Harwell posted a huge double-double and flirted with a triple-double without committing a turnover.

Harwell, No. 7 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, finished the contest with a team-high 22 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists — again, zero turnovers — while shooting 4-for-9 from downtown and being on the court for all 32 minutes of action.

Here's a highlight showcasing his brilliance as a creative facilitator:

And here's a look at his silky stroke as a quick-release volume sharpshooter:

In late October, the Idaho native, who turned 17 earlier this week, included his UNC basketball suitors in his top nine, along with Gonzaga, UCLA, Cal, Idaho State, Baylor, Texas, Houston, and Alabama.

Thus far, Isiah Harwell has scheduled only one official visit: to Gonzaga the first weekend of February. However, the Tar Heels have reasons to like their chances in the high-profile race; after all, he's admitted on several occasions to rooting for UNC as a kid, and he was in Chapel Hill on an unofficial visit in September 2022.

He's one of nine in the 2025 class holding an offer from the Tar Heels.

Five-Star Reschedules UNC Visit for Weekend of Duke Game

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

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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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