DEAL SEALED: 7-Foot-9 American No. 1 Prospect Stuns the College Basketball Scene — Flips His Commitment to the TAR HEELS, Snubbing Powerhouse Programs Duke, NC State, and Alabama
In one of the most jaw-dropping recruiting twists in recent college basketball history, Noah Anderson, the towering 7-foot-9 phenom and consensus No. 1 prospect in the 2025 class, has officially flipped his commitment to the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. The announcement, made on Wednesday morning, sent shockwaves through the basketball world, leaving rival programs — especially Duke, NC State, and Alabama — stunned and scrambling for answers.
Anderson, who initially committed to Duke earlier this year, cited “family legacy, brotherhood, and belief in Coach Hubert Davis’ vision” as the driving forces behind his decision to wear Carolina Blue. The decision instantly changes the outlook of the 2025 recruiting cycle and positions UNC as the early favorite for next season’s national championship conversation.
> “North Carolina just felt like home,” Anderson said during his ESPN exclusive. “Coach Davis has a plan not just for my game, but for my growth as a person. It’s not just about basketball — it’s about building something bigger.”
Standing at 7-foot-9 with a 9-foot-8 wingspan, Anderson has drawn comparisons to NBA legends like Ralph Sampson and Victor Wembanyama, but with even more defensive range and rim-protecting ability. Scouts have described him as a “once-in-a-generation interior force,” blending rare height with soft shooting touch and elite mobility for his size.
The switch to UNC comes after a dramatic recruiting battle that saw Duke, Alabama, and NC State all in hot pursuit. Reports suggest that Anderson’s family pushed for stability and a long-term developmental plan — something Coach Davis emphasized during multiple in-home visits and private sessions.
For the Tar Heels, this commitment could redefine the program’s future. Anderson becomes the centerpiece of what many analysts are calling the most dominant recruiting class since the 2018 Duke trio of Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Cam Reddish. His addition gives UNC a massive boost both in the paint and in national profile, reigniting the heated Duke–UNC rivalry in spectacular fashion.
> “This is a monumental moment for Carolina Basketball,” Coach Hubert Davis said in a statement. “Noah represents everything we stand for — heart, humility, and hunger to be great. He’s not just a generational player; he’s a generational young man.”
The announcement video, posted on social media, quickly went viral — showing Anderson unzipping a blue jacket to reveal the iconic interlocking “NC” logo beneath, as teammates and family erupted in celebration. Within minutes, “Noah to Carolina” was trending nationwide.
Anderson is expected to join UNC’s 2025 roster as an immediate starter and potential one-and-done NBA lottery pick. His presence alongside returning guard RJ Davis Jr. and five-star forward Eli Porter could make the Tar Heels the team to beat in the upcoming NCAA season.
As recruiting analysts put it — “Chapel Hill just got taller, louder, and a whole lot more dangerous.”
The college basketball world has officially been put on notice: Noah Anderson is heading to North Carolina, and the Tar Heels’ future just changed forever.
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