BREAKING: UNC Basketball Suffers Major Recruiting Blow as Top In-State Target Cancels Official Visit, Likely Ending Pursuit
UNC Basketball Suffers Major Recruiting Blow as Top In-State Target Cancels Official Visit, Likely Ending Pursuit
In a disappointing development for the North Carolina basketball program, one of its top in-state recruiting targets has officially canceled his scheduled official visit to Chapel Hill this weekend — a move that all but rules the Tar Heels out of contention for the elite prospect.
The player in question, 5-star wing Jordan Samuels, ranked among the top 15 in the 2026 class, was considered a major priority for Hubert Davis and his staff. A Charlotte native and a standout at Providence Day School, Samuels had long been viewed as a must-get for the Tar Heels due to both his immense talent and the symbolic importance of keeping top North Carolina talent close to home.
Sources close to Samuels’ camp confirmed late Thursday that the visit was canceled due to a “shift in recruiting focus,” and that the family is now concentrating on schools outside the state. Programs like Kansas, Alabama, and UConn have recently gained momentum in his recruitment.
While no official announcement has been made, the cancellation — without plans to reschedule — strongly indicates that UNC is no longer a serious contender.
For UNC fans and staff alike, this news hits hard. The Tar Heels have prided themselves on securing top local talent for generations, with legends like Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, and more recently Coby White representing North Carolina roots. Losing out on a player like Samuels not only weakens their 2026 recruiting class but raises concerns about the program’s recent trend of missing on elite-level talent.
Samuels had visited Chapel Hill unofficially last year and was seen courtside at a UNC-Duke game in February. He had built strong relationships with the coaching staff, and many insiders believed the Tar Heels had a legitimate shot at landing him, especially after prioritizing him early in the cycle.
But according to multiple reports, a recent surge by out-of-state programs — particularly Kansas and Alabama — coupled with concerns about UNC’s offensive system and recent player development trends, may have swayed Samuels’ decision.
“Jordan was excited about UNC, but the fit just didn’t feel right in the end,” said a source close to his family. “He’s looking for a program that can showcase his full offensive skill set and prepare him for the next level.”
The cancellation leaves UNC scrambling to recalibrate its recruiting strategy. While the Tar Heels are still in the mix for other 2026 stars like combo guard K.J. Reynolds and big man Amir Wallace, missing on Samuels leaves a significant void — not just in potential production, but in in-state momentum.
Recruiting battles are rarely predictable, and there’s always a chance things change down the road. But for now, it appears UNC’s pursuit of Jordan Samuels has hit a dead end.
And with the college basketball arms race heating up, the Tar Heels can’t afford to lose too many more like him.