North Carolina coach Hubert Davis has landed a few talented prospects since he took over at his alma mater in 2021, but as the Tar Heels have struggled the last couple of seasons, Davis has faced questions about his ability to consistently attract the nation’s top high school talent.
Davis may finally be coming up with some answers. On Tuesday, he landed a commitment from five-star Dylan Mingo, a 6-foot-5 guard out of Glen Head, N.Y., and one of the premier prospects in the 2026 class. Mingo’s decision added a second high-level building block to a class that already includes four-star wing Maximo Adams, who pledged to the Tar Heels in November. Together, the commitments provide meaningful momentum for a program determined to reassert itself among the nation’s elite on the recruiting trail.
Mingo’s commitment represented a breakthrough. A dynamic, smooth guard widely viewed as a top-10 national prospect, he brings a rare blend of athleticism, shot creation, defensive versatility and feel for the game. Mingo’s rise over the past two seasons has been eye-opening, and he now projects as a potential top-three pick in the 2027 NBA Draft. Landing a prospect of his caliber is the type of recruiting win that can reshape both perception and reality surrounding a program’s recruiting success.
Behind the scenes, the Tar Heels’ pitch resonated deeply with Mingo and his camp, particularly regarding how the program’s culture and long-term vision aligned with his personal values and goals. “Honestly, what stood out the most about UNC is how much pride everyone has in being a Tar Heel,” a source close to Mingo told Hoops HQ. “It doesn’t feel fake or forced. It feels real, like people genuinely love the school and what it represents.”
That emotional connection was paired with a detailed basketball blueprint. UNC outlined a versatile role for Mingo, centered around his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. “The plan is to have Dylan play on and off the ball on offense,” the source said. “Defensively, he will guard the one, two and three. He is expected to be a major piece to the puzzle.”
More than anything, Mingo’s camp felt he could fully envision himself thriving within the program. “Dylan was able to see himself in the vision presented, with him being an essential part of the team and carrying on the UNC tradition,” the source said.
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Adams, meanwhile, has continued to trend upward since his commitment. The physically imposing 6-foot-8 wing from Harbor City, Calif., has the ability to score at all three levels, defend multiple spots and play with consistent energy makes him an ideal complement to Mingo and a prototypical modern wing at the college level. “What stood out about Coach Davis and the rest of the staff was how genuine they were,” Adams told Hoops HQ. “They had this type of family atmosphere that stood out from the jump. Their vision for me is to come in, compete right away, and develop into a leader.”
Before the momentum of the 2026 class began to build, Davis landed a monster commitment in February 2025 when five-star forward Caleb Wilson chose the Tar Heels. At the time, Wilson was the highest-ranked recruit of Davis’ tenure.
North Carolina hired general manager Jim Tanner last summer, later than many other high-major programs, following back-to-back top-five high school recruiting classes in 2024 and 2025. The program’s ability to attract elite talent was already firmly in place. Now, the focus shifts towards translating that success into postseason results and returning to consistent final four contention.
Since arriving in Chapel Hill, Wilson’s rise as both a player and NBA prospect has amplified the impact of that decision. The explosive, versatile forward quickly emerged as one of the ACC’s most dynamic young talents, showcasing elite athleticism on both ends and a rapidly expanding offensive skill set. His ability to score in transition, defend multiple positions and rebound on both ends of the floor has vaulted him firmly into the top-five conversation for the 2026 NBA Draft, with scouts increasingly viewing him as one of the premier prospects in all of college basketball.
Beyond his on-court production, Wilson has also become an invaluable piece of North Carolina’s recruiting efforts. Throughout the past year, he has played a meaningful role in helping cultivate relationships with both Mingo and Adams, according to sources close to the process. Whether through direct conversations, campus visits or steady communication, Wilson provided an authentic, player-driven perspective on what North Carolina is building in Chapel Hill.
“Caleb has been killing it this season. It’s great to see how much he’s done for the program,” Adams said. “We’ve talked a little about hoops and really what it’s going to be like at the next level.”
Adams added that while he wasn’t heavily involved in Mingo’s recruitment, he still felt compelled to reach out once Mingo’s decision date became public. “I honestly wasn’t very much in the mix with Dylan’s recruitment,” Adams said. “But when his commitment date came out, I reached out to him and told him this is the place to be.”
Taken together, the commitments of Mingo and Adams signal a program trending firmly in the right direction. With two of high school basketball’s elite prospects buying into Davis’ vision, North Carolina is beginning to reestablish itself as a true force on the high school recruiting trail.
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