UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

UNC Basketball Recruiting: Reclassified Big Man Commits Elsewhere

Originally posted on North Carolina Tar Heels on SI
By Matt Giles | Last updated Aug 5, 2024 5:31 PM ET

Barring a surprise move in the next couple of weeks, UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and his crew will leave a couple of scholarship spots unfilled next season.

On Monday, the last reported prospect on the Tar Heels' radar, NBA Global Academy center Julius Halaifonua, announced his commitment to Georgetown.

A few weeks ago, several insiders viewed the Tar Heels as a top contender for the 7-foot, 290-pound four-star, who hails from New Zealand and revealed his intention to reclassify from 2025 to 2024 in July. But ever since, the Hoyas built momentum, and the predictions stacked up 100 percent in favor of Ed Cooley's Georgetown staff after Halaifonua visited the campus last week.

NEWS: 4⭐️ Julius Halaifonua, a 7-foot center, has committed to Georgetown, sources tell @On3Recruits.

Ranked 60th overall in the 2024 class, per On3. https://t.co/DbDozm9e1B pic.twitter.com/gPdWMVHgrF
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) August 5, 2024

Meanwhile, here are the 11 scholarship talents on tap for the 2024-25 UNC basketball team, consisting of six returning Tar Heels, three heralded freshmen, and two transfer additions.

Graduate guard RJ Davis

Graduate forward Jae'Lyn Withers

Junior guard Seth Trimble

Junior forward Jalen Washington

Junior forward Cade Tyson

Junior forward Ven-Allen Lubin

Sophomore guard Elliot Cadeau

Sophomore forward Zayden High

Freshman forward Drake Powell

Freshman guard Ian Jackson

Freshman center James Brown

The 2024-25 Tar Heels, Hubert Davis' fourth squad as head coach in Chapel Hill, tip off their regular season on Nov. 4 when Elon comes to the Dean E. Smith Center.