Dylan Mingo is on the brink of making one of the biggest decisions of his young career-and it's a moment the college basketball world has been waiting on.
The five-star combo guard out of Long Island Lutheran has locked in his commitment date: Tuesday, February 16, live on ESPN. Mingo, ranked No. 8 nationally in the 2026 class, is down to four finalists-Baylor, North Carolina, Penn State, and Washington-and each program brings something unique to the table.
Standing 6-foot-5 with a long, athletic frame, Mingo has taken official visits to all four schools. He’s done his homework, and he’s not just looking for the best fit now-he’s thinking long-term, with an eye on the NBA. Here’s how each school stacks up from Mingo’s perspective.
Baylor: A Guard Factory
When it comes to developing NBA-ready guards, Baylor’s track record speaks for itself. Mingo pointed to names like VJ Edgecombe, Keyonte George, Davion Mitchell, and Jared Butler-all players who made the leap from Waco to the pros.
“Pretty much just how they get guards to the League every year,” Mingo said. “VJ tells me, ‘If you want to go to the League, you go to Baylor.’
He started off struggling, but he ended up great. He’s in the NBA doing great things.”
There’s a personal connection here too-Edgecombe is a former teammate of Mingo’s, and seeing someone he knows thrive in that system adds weight to Baylor’s pitch.
North Carolina: Star Power in the Frontcourt
UNC’s frontcourt might be grabbing headlines, but Mingo sees opportunity in Chapel Hill’s backcourt.
“Their frontcourt is insane,” he said. “I think they’re putting up 40-50 points a game, so you know the guards are stepping up and they will start to win big games.”
Mingo also spent time with Caleb Wilson, the Tar Heels’ standout freshman, during his visit. That connection left an impression.
“He was very welcoming,” Mingo said. “It was fun to chill with him.
‘Come here if you want to go to the League,’ basically. ‘When you do get there, take full accountability for what you are in repping North Carolina.’”
Penn State: A Family Affair
There’s a different kind of pull in Happy Valley-family. Mingo’s older brother, Kayden Mingo, is already suiting up for the Nittany Lions, and the thought of a reunion is very real.
“He texts me every day, he calls me every day,” Mingo said. “It’s crazy to even maybe have the opportunity to play with your brother.
Even just watching last year’s film, we played very well together. We won a lot of games together.”
Head coach Mike Rhoades has made it clear that family values and trust matter in his program. Mingo pointed out how Rhoades kept his word with Kayden, who’s now logging 25-30 minutes a game as a freshman. That kind of trust and playing time is hard to ignore.
Washington: Building Something New
The Huskies may not be stacking wins just yet, but Mingo sees potential in what’s brewing out west.
“They have a great core of guards right now,” he said. “They haven’t been winning games, but it’ll gel together just seeing them practice and everything.”
Washington’s pitch seems to be more about vision and opportunity-being part of a turnaround, helping to build something from the ground up.
The Scouting Report: A Big Guard with Big Upside
Mingo isn’t just one of the top-ranked players in the class-he’s one of the most intriguing. His size and skill set make him a matchup nightmare.
At over 6-foot-4 with a wingspan north of 6-foot-10, he brings rare length to the backcourt. He’s got a tight handle, uses combo moves to break down defenders, and has a natural feel for navigating traffic and making plays in the lane.
He’s also an excellent rebounder for a guard (7.6 per game) and a disruptive defender (2.0 steals per game), with the versatility to guard multiple positions.
But like most young stars, there are still areas to polish. His shooting remains a swing skill-he hit just 23% from three in 13 EYBL games, and his form is a bit unconventional. Mechanics aside, his turnover rate (2.5 per game) nearly matches his assists (2.8), a sign that he’s still learning to balance creativity with control.
Even so, the trajectory is hard to ignore. Mingo has been a known name for years, and he’s continued to climb the ranks as his game evolves. The fact that he won’t turn 17 until October of his senior year only adds to the intrigue-he’s still growing, still developing, and still figuring out just how high his ceiling might be.
Decision Day Looms
With four strong programs in the mix and a skill set that has scouts buzzing, Dylan Mingo’s decision has the potential to shift the landscape-not just for his future team, but for the college basketball scene as a whole.
Come Tuesday, all eyes will be on ESPN as one of the top guards in the country makes his call. Wherever he lands, expect him to make an impact early-and keep your eye on him long after college, too.