From the outside looking in, it appeared as though the official visit for Dylan Mingo could not have gone much better for the UNC basketball program. The five-star guard walked into the Smith Center and immediately felt the energy — fans showered him with love, Caleb Wilson delivered another electric performance, and the Tar Heels improved to 4-0 with a convincing win over NC Central.
Arguably the highlight of the weekend came when UNC fans printed out “We Want Mingo” posters and proudly held them up in the stands. Mingo couldn’t hide the smile on his face as he posed for a photo with those signs in the background, a moment that quickly circulated on social media. Thanks to Rivals’ Jamie Shaw, more behind-the-scenes photos and videos revealed just how warm, detailed, and well-organized the Tar Heels’ presentation was. There’s no question — UNC rolled out the full red carpet.
And based on Mingo’s reactions, it’s also clear the visit gave him a lot to think about moving forward.
Hubert Davis and UNC are pushing hard — but the competition is real
With Mingo hinting at his excitement on social media, he made it clear that the Tar Heels genuinely turned his head and will absolutely remain one of the programs in the mix as he trims his list. Still, Hubert Davis and his staff know they’re walking into a tough recruiting fight.
Mingo already holds 20+ scholarship offers, with UNC, Baylor, Miami, NC State, Washington, and Penn State all pushing hard. But the program quietly making the biggest move? Surprisingly, that might be Penn State.
Penn State’s family connection could shift the balance
Why the Nittany Lions? Even though PSU isn’t traditionally a basketball powerhouse, the family ties run deep — Mingo’s older brother, Kayden Mingo, signed with Penn State as a four-star prospect in the 2025 class. It’s no secret that playing alongside a sibling at the college level is rare, special, and extremely meaningful. You can bet Kayden is putting in some recruiting work of his own for head coach Mike Rhoades.
If Dylan ultimately decides to join his brother, no one will fault him. It would be an unforgettable experience for both their careers and their family.
UNC still offers the “blue blood experience”
However, if Mingo wants to compete on one of the biggest stages in college basketball, develop under ACC lights, and suit up for a program built on championships, UNC presents an entirely different level of opportunity. The Heels’ tradition, national platform, NIL visibility, and proven player development speak for themselves — and the coaching staff made sure Mingo left campus fully aware of that.
UNC showed him the environment, the culture, and the vision. Now, it’s up to the rising star guard to weigh prestige, family, and fit as he moves closer to cutting his list.
