Michael Malone’s first offseason in charge at North Carolina has already answered one of the biggest early questions hanging over the Tar Heels: can he and his staff recruit at a high level?
The early signs have been encouraging. Even with the transfer portal already open when the 54-year-old coach arrived in Chapel Hill, North Carolina managed to put together a competitive roster. That success has now carried over into the 2027 recruiting conversation, where the Tar Heels are making real noise with elite center Darius Wabbington.
Wabbington, the No. 2 center and No. 13 overall prospect in next year’s class according to the 247Sports Composite, had previously listed North Carolina among his finalists along with Arizona, Kentucky, Texas, Indiana, and Louisville. On Tuesday, that group got smaller, and the Tar Heels came out better for it.
The 5-star center canceled his Louisville visit, which had been set for Sept. 11, and said, "I'm no longer considering Louisville."
For Louisville, the decision is manageable. The Cardinals already have a crowded frontcourt for the upcoming season with Flory Bidunga, Alvaro Folgueiras, and Obinna Ekezie Jr., so losing out on Wabbington does not leave them empty-handed. But for North Carolina, every bit of progress matters.
The Tar Heels have already cracked Wabbington’s top five, and with Louisville now out of the picture, their standing gets a clear boost. Wabbington is a 6-foot-10, 225-pound center, and North Carolina’s need in the middle makes him an especially important target.
That need is real. Heading into the season, the frontcourt rotation is North Carolina’s biggest concern, particularly after Cameron Fens was ruled ineligible to play in games this season. That ruling could still be reversed, but for now the Tar Heels have to plan as if the South Dakota product will not be available.
North Carolina is also hoping Sayon Keita and Alexandros Samodurov will be part of next season’s roster, though neither is a sure thing. Even if both players do return, landing Wabbington would still be a major win for Malone’s staff.
The Tar Heels still have work to do, and the battle for Wabbington is far from over. Arizona, Kentucky, Texas, and Indiana remain in the mix, and a decision is still likely months away. But this latest development only strengthens North Carolina’s position, and it gives the program another sign that its recruiting operation can be much more effective under this new regime.
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It is also a staff that leans hard into the programs own history, with former Tar Heels Brandon Robinson and Deon Thompson working in coaching and development roles. Taken together, the group feels designed to balance continuity with a wider modern reach, giving Malone a staff that knows the building, knows the brand and can still bring in outside perspective as UNC settles into this next phase. [Read more 🡒]