Top-10 Star Addison Bjorn Sets Commitment Date—Tar Heels Brace for Pivotal Moment
The North Carolina women’s basketball program is officially on commitment watch. After hosting elite 2026 prospect Addison Bjorn on a visit in early September, the Tar Heels finally got the news they’ve been waiting for: the 6-foot-2 small forward has included UNC in her Top 7, and she’ll reveal her decision on November 20.
For head coach Courtney Banghart, the timing couldn’t be better. Just days after UNC celebrated a program-shaping addition in Kate Harping, the No. 1 player in the Class of 2026, the Tar Heels suddenly find themselves in position to secure another cornerstone of the future. Should they pull this off, few programs in the country could match the one-two punch UNC is building.
Bjorn—ranked No. 9 nationally—brings a style of play that perfectly mirrors what Banghart seeks on the wing: length, defensive activity, and offensive versatility. If paired with Harping, a powerful, dynamic point guard, the duo would form one of the most dangerous freshman tandems in the country. Immediate minutes wouldn’t just be possible—they’d be expected.
But before that dream becomes reality, UNC must beat out a stacked list of contenders: Iowa, Notre Dame, UConn, Duke, Texas, and Kansas. Competing with recruiting giants is nothing new for Banghart, but this battle is particularly fierce.
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The Competition: Who Really Has the Edge for Bjorn?
While Bjorn has kept her recruitment relatively quiet, Iowa and Kansas have generated noticeable buzz in recent weeks. Iowa’s offensive brand is nationally beloved, and Kansas has been heavily involved throughout her early recruitment. Both programs offer strong selling points, and neither should be dismissed.
UConn and Notre Dame are perennial powerhouses—programs with championship pedigrees and rosters loaded with talent. They have the prestige, the history, and the player development track record that make them tough to beat in any recruitment.
Duke, meanwhile, boasts a massive 2026 class featuring four Top-50 recruits, including two small forwards. The question becomes whether Bjorn wants to join a position group that is already crowded or seek a place like UNC where the opportunity for early impact may be far clearer.
UNC, for its part, may not be the trending name in the rumor mill, but it is the school that landed the No. 1 overall player just days ago. The program’s momentum is real, and players around the country have taken notice. Banghart’s message is resonating, and Chapel Hill is once again becoming a destination for elite talent.
Whether that is enough to sway Bjorn remains to be seen—but the Tar Heels are absolutely in it.
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UNC Lands the Nation’s No. 1 Recruit—Kate Harping Officially Signs
While the countdown to Bjorn’s decision continues, UNC fans already received massive recruiting news: Kate Harping, the top player in the 2026 class, has officially signed with the Tar Heels.
The Atlanta native is a consensus five-star guard and the 2024–2025 Gatorade Georgia Girls Basketball Player of the Year, joining UNC men’s freshman Caleb Wilson, who earned the boys’ honor the same season. That pipeline between Atlanta and Chapel Hill just keeps producing elite athletes.
Harping averaged a staggering 32 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 steals per game, dominating every level of competition while earning national recognition. She catapulted into the top-player conversation after her MVP performance at Overtime Select in 2024, and she has only elevated her game since.
Banghart couldn’t contain her enthusiasm:
“In Kate, we are adding a dynamic athlete and a relentless competitor. Her scoring versatility, toughness, and defensive edge will impact our program immediately.”
Harping isn’t just a scorer—she’s a stopper. Evaluators rave about her defensive motor, her ability to guard the opponent’s top option, and her relentless presence on the glass. It’s that two-way ability that separates her from even the strongest prospects in the class.
With Harping’s arrival in 2026, UNC’s backcourt could feature veteran leaders such as Reniya Kelly, Elina Aarnisalo, and Lanie Grant, along with rising standout Nyla Brooks—assuming the roster remains intact in the modern transfer-portal era. Whatever the lineup looks like, UNC’s future is undeniably bright.
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What’s Next? A Pivotal Decision That Could Transform UNC’s Future
Harping is step one. Landing Bjorn would be step two—and together, they would form a generational nucleus for UNC women’s basketball.
The Tar Heels may not be signing a massive class like Duke’s, but they are pursuing quality over quantity, and so far, it’s working. Harping’s commitment represents a major recruiting win. Bjorn’s announcement could turn it into a defining moment.
November 20 is fast approaching, and all eyes in Chapel Hill will be watching.
The Tar Heels are in the fight. The buzz is growing. And the future of UNC women’s basketball could be reshaped in a matter of days.
