North Carolina has landed on the short list for one of the biggest names in the 2027 class.
Beckham Black, the No. 3 player in the country according to Rivals, has scheduled official visits to UNC and Texas for after Peach Jam, according to Sam Lance of The Field of 68. The dates were not announced, but the 6-foot-3, 180-pound point guard from Duncanville, Texas made it clear that both programs are already locked in for the next step of his recruitment.
Black’s decision matters because his recruitment has only picked up steam, and the Tar Heels have stayed right in the middle of it. UNC first began recruiting him under Hubert Davis, and with Michael Malone now in charge, the new staff has wasted no time making Black a priority.
That kind of transition can easily reset a recruitment. In this case, it looks like North Carolina kept the relationship moving instead of losing ground. Malone and his staff haven’t just stayed involved with Black - they’ve made him a centerpiece of what they’re trying to build on the trail.
The timing also gives UNC a real opening. If Black does expand his list beyond North Carolina and Texas, the Tar Heels will still be among the first programs to get him on campus and make their case. That matters for a prospect of this level, especially one viewed as a potential difference-maker the moment he arrives.
Black has plenty of options, but the fact that he has already lined up UNC among his first official visits says plenty about where the Tar Heels stand right now. For a staff still early in its college tenure, that’s a strong sign that the message is getting through.
Black’s stock keeps rising, and so does North Carolina’s place in the race.
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Hubert Davis Finally Addressed The Caleb Wilson Debate UNC Fans Feared
Caleb Wilsons strong showing in NBA Summer League has only sharpened the conversation around what kind of pro he can become, and it has also kept his North Carolina exit in the spotlight. Hubert Davis has been clear that he is proud of Wilsons progress, praising the forwards character and competitiveness while pointing to the kind of growth that has made him look like a future NBA player.
Wilsons earlier comments about his role at North Carolina not emphasizing three-point shooting have lingered in the background, feeding a broader debate about coaching and player development. Davis, for his part, has tried to keep the focus on Wilsons talent and trajectory rather than any lingering tension, which is why the subject still feels like one Tar Heels fans will keep circling until it is fully settled. [Read more 🡒]
Did Drake Powell Leave UNC Before His Offense Was Ready
Drake Powells first summer as a pro has looked a lot like the version of him that made him such an intriguing draft pick in the first place: long, explosive and disruptive on defense. The rookie taken 22nd overall has flashed the athleticism that made him a first-rounder, but his offensive game is still very much a work in progress, and that showed up again during NBA Summer League.
A recent 18-point outing offered a reminder of what Powell can do when the shot is falling, but it did not erase the bigger concern around his comfort level as a scorer. He still looks uneasy putting the ball on the floor and creating against a defender, which is why the question lingers for North Carolina fans: would another year in Chapel Hill, with a bigger role and more offensive reps, have helped him arrive in the league more ready for the next step? [Read more 🡒]
This Tar Heel Could Change Everything About UNCs Passing Game
North Carolina is heading toward training camp with plenty still to sort out on offense, and the passing game may end up being the biggest swing factor of all. Bobby Petrino has reason to feel encouraged about the personnel he has to work with, especially after the Tar Heels added pieces through the transfer portal and brought in a receiver in Humphrey from Lehigh who is expected to fit in quickly alongside Jordan Shipp.
What makes the next few weeks so interesting is that the quarterback job is still open, with Billy Edwards Jr., Travis Burgess and Miles ONeill all in the mix. However that battle settles, the Tar Heels are clearly trying to build a more dangerous aerial attack, and Humphrey looks like one of the newcomers who could help change the shape of it once camp gets going. [Read more 🡒]
