The North Carolina Tar Heels have landed their first commitment for the 2026 basketball recruiting class, and it’s a big one. On Friday, five-star small forward Maximo Adams ended his recruitment with a verbal commitment to North Carolina, picking the Tar Heels over fellow finalists Texas, Michigan State, and Kentucky. The Sierra Canyon product is a top 25 recruit and recently took a visit to North Carolina. UNC was able to sell him on coming to Chapel Hill and being the first key piece to the 2026 recruiting class.
The 6-foot-7, 205-pound Adams is ranked No. 22 nationally, No. 10 small forward and the No. 5 prospect in the state of California per the 247Sports composite rankings. With this addition, UNC is officially on the board for the 2026 class. However, there aren’t a lot of targets left out there. Five-star Dylan Mingo is set to be on UNC’s campus for an official visit this weekend. But other than that, UNC isn’t involved in a lot of other options. That can change obviously and with transfer portal, UNC can look to make additions to their roster through that as well.
Adams brings a versatile game to the table—he’s a capable scorer, rebounder, and defender, shooting 40% from three in his senior year at Sierra Canyon. Coach Hubert Davis has praised him as a key fit for the program, potentially stepping into a leadership role early. With Caleb Wilson likely heading to the NBA, Adams could be the spark the Tar Heels need for their next run.
The recruitment chase isn’t over—there’s Miika Muurinen (PF, Europe) and Sayon Keita (C, Spain) on the radar, but options are slim. UNC’s focus now shifts to hosting Dylan Mingo, a five-star point guard (ranked No. 6 nationally), whose visit could bring more momentum. The transfer portal remains a wildcard—expect moves. For now, the Heels have a gem. Want more details or predictions?
