Not long ago, North Carolina showed interest in Italian basketball sensation Dame Sarr, who also plays for FC Barcelona. Several programs are vying for the talented playmaker, but it appears UNC is no longer in the running.
Earlier this week, reports suggested Kansas was close to securing Sarr following his official visit. However, Duke has ramped up its recruitment efforts, and the latest predictions now have Sarr leaning toward joining the Blue Devils—UNC’s fiercest rival. Needless to say, Tar Heels fans would be disappointed to see him land there.
On Thursday, three more 247Sports Crystal Ball projections were made in favor of Duke, which usually indicates a commitment is imminent. While that would be great news for the Blue Devils, it’s a blow for Hubert Davis and his staff.
That said, adding a guard isn’t UNC’s top concern at the moment. Davis has been focusing on bringing in a wing to bolster the 2025–26 roster. Although the Tar Heels have missed out on several targets—including Andrej Stojakovic—there are still viable options on the board.
One name drawing attention is Florida State’s Jamir Watkins. The sharpshooting forward is currently testing the NBA Draft waters, but with a projection as a second-round pick, a return to college is very much on the table.
If Watkins does come back, UNC is expected to explore the possibility of bringing him to Chapel Hill. That situation remains uncertain, but one thing seems clear: Dame Sarr won’t be joining the Tar Heels. Instead, he might be headed just down the road to Durham.