UNC fans are starting to get restless as Hubert Davis’ Tar Heels have yet to receive a verbal commitment in the 2026 cycle. The Tar Heels need to bolster their lineup with top talent from the high school ranks after they suffered an early exit in this year’s NCAA Tournament.
Davis and his staff did just that in the 2025 cycle, adding incoming freshmen Isaiah Denis, Derek Dixon, and Caleb Wilson to North Carolina’s roster. The onus is on Davis to add more talented young players to UNC’s lineup ahead of the 2026-27 NCAA season. Here are the top five recruiting targets he can’t afford to miss in the Class of 2026 at UNC.
Top 5 Recruiting Targets UNC’s Hubert Davis Can’t Miss in Class of 2026
1. Tajh Ariza
Among the players on the Tar Heels’ recruiting board is five-star small forward Tajh Ariza. Hubert Davis forged a relationship with former NBA player Trevor Ariza’s son when he coached him during USA Basketball’s recent minicamp.
UNC extended an offer to Tajh on June 19 to join the Tar Heels. He thanked Davis and the rest of his coaching staff on social media for believing in him and his ability after receiving the offer.
Thankful to receive a d1 offer from Coach Hubert Davis at UNC!! Thank you to the rest of the staff for believing in me and my ability! pic.twitter.com/wRT0re0CQH
— Tajh Ariza (@_theetajhariza) June 19, 2025
Tajh is scheduled to visit UNC on Sept. 12. The Tar Heels have lots of competition, though, for the top-10 prospect’s services, as he has also scheduled visits to Oregon, USC, and Texas.
2. Toni Bryant
Another five-star prospect who has received an offer from Hubert Davis is big man Toni Bryant. Getting him won’t be easy for the Tar Heels, though, as the 6-foot-9 star from Zephyrhills Christian Academy has gotten offers from at least 20 schools.
The good news for UNC is that Bryant will visit Chapel Hill on Sept. 1, providing a better opportunity for the Tar Heels to recruit the young power forward. Bryant’s move to North Carolina isn’t a lock, as he has also scheduled visits to Missouri and NC State in September.
3. Cole Cloer
Four-star prospect Cole Cloer has cut his list to eight schools, with UNC right in the thick of things. The 6-foot-8 wing revealed in an interview with ZagsBlog that North Carolina has been recruiting him the longest out of any of these schools.
Cloer will feel right at home at UNC, as he grew up in Hillsborough, North Carolina. He called the Tar Heels “one of the most historic programs in the country.” Hubert Davis would love to have this hometown kid in his lineup in the 2026-27 season.
4. Deron Rippey
UNC is right in the mix to sign Deron Rippey. The 6-foot-1 guard has been making waves recently, earning All-Camp honors at NBPA Top 100 Camp and Adidas Eurocamp. He was also a finalist to join the USA Basketball team in the FIBA U19 World Cup.
Rippey has officially narrowed his list to 12 schools which are North Carolina, Indiana, Tennessee, NC State, Louisville, Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, Miami, Alabama, Texas, and Syracuse. He is scheduled to visit UNC from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2.
5. Miikka Muurinen
The North Carolina Tar Heels added European players to their roster this offseason, signing Luka Bogavac and Henri Veesaar. Hubert Davis isn’t done tapping into that market, as he has extended an offer to Finnish star Miikka Muurinen to join UNC in 2026.
Muurinen has included North Carolina in his final list of seven schools. The Tar Heels have a battle on their hands, as powerhouse teams Duke, Arkansas, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, and NC State are also in the mix to sign Muurinen.
KEEP READING: Top 5 Burning Questions Hubert Davis Must Answer Ahead of Crucial UNC Season
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