All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Watches Newly Offered Top Recruit in California

UNC basketball recruiters were on hand to see phenom prep AJ Dybantsa in action.

Matt Giles

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

Less than two weeks ago, Prolific Prep (Calif.) junior AJ Dybantsa received an offer from third-year UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his staff.

RELATED: Mother of UNC Guard Helps With Recruiting Efforts

And on Saturday, Tar Heel coaches were in the stands to watch the 6-foot-9, 200-pound forward at the Prolific Tip-Off Classic at Napa Valley College, national recruiting insider Andrew Slater reported.

After announcing his decision to reclassify from 2026 to 2025 in early October, AJ Dybantsa went from No. 1 overall on the 247Sports 2026 Composite to the same spot in 2025. The advanced playmaker holds over a dozen offers, and more are sure to come.

Judging by the trip to California to follow up on their recent offer, the Tar Heels are looking to make the 16-year-old feel like a priority.

Speaking of the 2026 class, one of Dybantsa's Prolific Prep teammates, five-star sophomore and admitted Tar Heel fan Tyran Stokes, has also caught UNC's attention but has yet to report an offer out of Chapel Hill.

The 6-foot-7, 245-pound Stokes, a burly forward boasting impressive skills inside and outside the paint, took over the top spot in the 2026 rankings following Dybantsa's reclassification.

AJ Dybantsa is among nine UNC basketball targets in his class. The others, each a five-star, are guards Darryn Peterson, Cayden Boozer, and Jasper Johnson, and forwards Cameron Boozer, Isiah Harwell, Koa Peat, Caleb Wilson, and Bryson Tiller.

None have committed to Davis and his crew. But none have ruled them out either, at least not publicly.

Five-Star Tar Heel Target Reveals List of Contenders

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