UNC Basketball Loses in Five-Star Recruiting Race

The UNC basketball recruiters were unable to secure a commitment from key player, losing out to the defending back-to-back national champions.

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his team made it through every elimination round in the  recruitment process, which led up to the decision date this week for the five-star guard from Greenfield-Central School (Ind.). However, the Tar Heels, competing against UConn and Indiana, ultimately did not succeed.

At his school’s gym on Wednesday evening, the 6-foot-5, 180-pound Mullins announced his commitment to UConn, led by two-time national champion head coach Dan Hurley and his staff.

His decision was expected, as the 247Sports Crystal Ball, On3 Recruiting Prediction, and Rivals FutureCast all leaned toward pro-Huskies predictions in recent weeks.

Mullins, who visited Chapel Hill officially last month, made a significant leap of 85 spots over the summer to No. 23 overall in the 247Sports 2025 Composite rankings. This rise was due to his impressive athleticism, sharpshooting, and competitive spirit on both sides of the court, which caught the attention of scouts and analysts.

Meanwhile, Derek Dixon, a four-star guard from Gonzaga College High School (D.C.), ranks No. 47 overall and No. 6 among combo guards in the cycle. He remains the UNC basketball program’s sole commitment for the 2025 recruiting class.

The moment that 5⭐️ SG Braylon Mullins (No. 16 in the Top247) committed to UConn over Indiana and UNC. 🔥

MORE: https://t.co/7iYC7LkCeA pic.twitter.com/3QaD2Qlftt

— 247Sports (@247Sports) October 23, 2024

However, it’s important to highlight that Hubert Davis and his team are still vying for the top-ranked high school senior in Utah Prep, five-star forward AJ Dybantsa.

Tar Heels ‘Heavy Favorite’ for NC State Basketball Target 24/10/2024

NC State basketball has been in pursuit of North Carolina’s top 2026 prep for over a year.

Caldwell Academy (N.C.) forward Cole Cloer, ranked No. 25 overall and No. 1 among North Carolina prospects on the 247Sports 2026 Composite, has received an offer from NC State basketball head coach Kevin Keatts and his staff since his 16th birthday in September 2023.

The Wolfpack recruiters were among his first high-major options, and they have maintained contact with the versatile four-star prospect, including a visit to his school this past September.

However, nearby rival UNC prioritized Cloer in May by being the first to extend an offer from head coach Hubert Davis and his team. It’s also significant that Chapel Hill is closer to where the 6-foot-7, 185-pound Cloer began his high school career at Orange High School in Hillsborough, N.C., before transferring to Caldwell Academy in Greensboro for his upcoming junior season.

Over the summer, months after visiting both the Wolfpack and Tar Heels last season, Cloer told ZAGSBLOG’s Sam Lance that he plans to visit NC State and Carolina again.

Thus, Keatts and his staff appear to be strong contenders, but Rivals’ David Sisk labeled UNC as the “heavy favorite” this week.

“Cloer hasn’t taken any official visits, but he is firmly at the top of the radar for Hubert Davis in the Class of 2026. UNC is considered the early heavy favorite for the Tar Heel native.”

Cloer Expands His Offer List in High-Profile Recruitment

Cole Cloer continues to receive offers in his high-profile recruitment, which now includes several schools from the ACC, such as Louisville, Wake Forest, and most recently, Miami.

“I love Coach Keatts,” Cloer shared with Sam Lance during their conversation at Peach Jam last July. “Coach Keatts is a great guy and a fantastic coach who took them to the Final Four with a team that people wouldn’t expect. The players seem to love him; he seems like a great guy to hang out with.”

Cloer is one of six 2026 recruits on the reported NC State basketball wishlist.