UNC Is Already Facing A Huge Backcourt Test Under Michael Malone

With strategic recruiting and top prospect visits, UNC is setting the stage for a formidable backcourt lineup in the 2027-28 basketball season.

North Carolina is making the backcourt a clear priority, and the 2027 class could be where that plan really takes shape.

The Tar Heels have already hosted a string of high-end prospects from the 2027 group in Chapel Hill, and another major name is now on the way. Five-star point guard Nasir Anderson moved up his visit with North Carolina to Wednesday, and he canceled his original trip to USC. ESPN lists Anderson as the No. 11 overall prospect and the No. 4 point guard in the class.

That visit comes on the heels of another big one. Last weekend, North Carolina had the No. 1 overall prospect, Beckham Black, on campus. The fact that the Tar Heels are in the mix for both guards says plenty about how this staff wants to build.

This offseason, head coach Michael Malone and his staff put the same emphasis on the backcourt when they added Terrence Brown, Matt Able, and Neoklis Avdalas. They’re carrying that approach into the next recruiting cycle, too, with the Tar Heels pursuing multiple marquee targets and speaking with several players ranked inside the top 10.

Landing both Black and Anderson would be a difficult haul. Landing even one would be a major win. But North Carolina is clearly in the conversation for both.

There’s also a practical reason the Tar Heels are attacking the position so aggressively. Brown is entering his true senior year, while Able and Avdalas could become strong 2027 NBA Draft candidates. That creates a real possibility that all three are gone after this season, which means the rotation may need a fresh wave of talent.

Black is already a known commodity, but Anderson has flown a little more under the radar. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound guard is a downhill driver who keeps pressure on the rim. Put him next to Black, and North Carolina would have a dangerous pairing.

For now, the message is simple: the Tar Heels are not just recruiting guards. They’re building around them.

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