All Eyes on Dylan Mingo: Five-Star Point Guard Sets Commitment Date
The wait might finally be over. After months of anticipation, rescheduled announcements, and plenty of speculation, Dylan Mingo - one of the crown jewels of the 2026 recruiting class - is ready to make it official.
According to a report from Joe Tipton, the 6-foot-5 point guard will announce his college decision this Tuesday, February 17, live on ESPN’s First Take alongside Stephen A. Smith. The announcement is expected to happen at 11:00 AM EST.
Mingo, the No. 2 overall player in the 2026 class per Rivals, will be choosing between four finalists: Baylor, North Carolina, Penn State, and Washington.
A Recruitment That’s Been Anything but Straightforward
Mingo’s recruitment has been a bit of a rollercoaster - not in the loud, headline-grabbing way, but in the quiet, behind-the-scenes kind of way that leaves fanbases reading between the lines. There’s been no shortage of whispers about why the process has taken this long, but what we do know is that each of the four finalists has had their moment in the spotlight.
Baylor looked like the frontrunner in mid-January, with momentum building around their pitch and program fit. Penn State has always been in the mix, thanks in large part to the family connection - Mingo’s older brother is currently a freshman with the Nittany Lions, giving the program a built-in advantage.
Then came the UNC visit. After Mingo’s trip to Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels surged forward in the race. Head coach Hubert Davis and his staff haven’t let up since, going full throttle to land a player they see as a foundational piece in their 2026 class.
Why Mingo Matters
Let’s talk about the fit. Mingo isn’t just a five-star in name - he’s a true lead guard with combo capabilities, the kind of player who can run an offense or slide off the ball and still impact the game in a big way. At 6'5", he brings size, vision, and scoring touch that make him a matchup problem at the high school level - and a future difference-maker at the college level.
For North Carolina, a commitment from Mingo would be a major statement. It would give the Tar Heels a formidable two-man class for 2026 and reinforce their ability to close on elite national talent. The coaching staff has made it clear throughout the process that Mingo is a priority, and the way they’ve recruited him reflects that.
What to Watch For
While this recruitment has had its share of twists, the current buzz suggests that North Carolina is in a strong position heading into Tuesday. That said, with high-profile decisions like this, nothing’s certain until the hat is on the head - or in this case, the announcement is made on national TV.
What we do know is this: Dylan Mingo is a game-changer, and wherever he lands, he’s going to elevate that program from day one. The countdown is on, and the basketball world will be watching closely as one of the top players in the country makes his call.
Tuesday at 11:00 AM EST. Set your reminders.