A North Carolina Tar Heels basketball player has been dismissed from the team just before his sophomore season, and the reason for his removal has now come to light.
According to the Raleigh News & Observer, Zayden High was initially suspended and later removed from the program after violating the university’s sexual exploitation policy. The report states that High secretly recorded a sexual encounter with another student without their consent.
The student involved told the News & Observer she felt “validated and relieved” by the university’s decision to dismiss High in August, saying, “It didn’t erase the pain, but it showed he was being held accountable.”
Following UNC’s investigation, High received a one-semester suspension and returned to campus on probation in the spring. While on probation, he was prohibited from representing the university in any official capacity, including athletic participation, the News & Observer added.
Despite this, High remains on campus, continues to train using UNC athletic facilities, and still receives team-related benefits like meals. According to InsideCarolina, he is expected to rejoin the basketball team ahead of the upcoming season.
The student involved expressed frustration over High’s continued presence on campus.
High, a former four-star recruit from Texas, joined UNC for the 2023–24 season. As a freshman, he played in 23 games and scored a total of 18 points. He previously attended Compass Prep in Arizona, a program known for producing NBA talent such as TyTy Washington, Maxwell Lewis, and Jabari Walker.
Jeremiah Fears, a projected 2025 NBA lottery pick, also attended Compass Prep before an impressive freshman year at Oklahoma.
This season, North Carolina received a debated at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament despite an underwhelming performance in ACC play. The Tar Heels dominated San Diego State in the First Four but were eliminated in the first round by No. 6 seed Ole Miss.
Whether Zayden High ultimately rejoins the Tar Heels for the upcoming season remains to be seen following his earlier dismissal from the team.
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