Not long ago, the North Carolina basketball program showed interest in Italian star Dame Sarr, who also plays for FC Barcelona and has multiple teams vying for his commitment. Unfortunately for the Tar Heels, it appears they’re no longer in contention.
Earlier this week, reports indicated that Kansas was close to securing Sarr following an official visit. However, Duke has now ramped up its recruiting efforts significantly, and Sarr is now expected to commit to UNC’s biggest rival. Needless to say, this is a development that Tar Heels fans won’t be happy about.
Duke is now the favorite to sign 5-star Italian SG Dame Sarr
On Thursday, three new 247Sports Crystal Ball picks shifted in favor of the Duke Blue Devils. Usually, that signals good news for the program, but in this case, it spells trouble for Hubert Davis and UNC.
That said, the Heels’ main focus right now isn’t adding a guard. Instead, Davis has been prioritizing a wing player to bolster the 2025-26 roster. Although North Carolina has missed out on several targets—including Andrej Stojakovic—there are still other options available.
Additionally, many are now watching Florida State’s Jamir Watkins closely. The sharpshooting wing is testing the NBA Draft but is projected as a second-round pick, meaning he might return to college for another season.
If Watkins does come back, Davis and his staff are expected to pursue him, hoping he might swap his Florida State jersey for Tar Heel blue. The situation remains uncertain, so it’s hard to say how it will unfold. What is clear, however, is that Dame Sarr likely won’t be heading to Chapel Hill and instead seems poised to sign with Duke in nearby Durham.