Kate Harpring, player No. 4 of the ESPNW 100 2026 class, is committed to North Carolina, she announced on Saturday.
The 5 -feet 10 -inch goalkeeper had made official visits to North Carolina, Ucla, Iowa and Vanderbilt and had offers of almost all the main programs, including Uconn, South Carolina, Duke, Texas and Tennessee.
“I am so excited to get involved in North Carolina after an incredibly difficult decision-making process,” she told ESPN. “Coach [Courtney] Banghart’s confidence in me ready to join the UNEC family. “”
More recently, given helping the United States team U19 to a gold medal at the Fiba U19 World Cup, Harpring is a difficult combo goalkeeper who broke out last year. Appointed MVP of overtime selection in 2024, she collected an average of 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists on the Adidas 3SSB circuit.
Although known as a talented notation goalkeeper, Harpring is a fierce and physical defender on the ball and a fantastic rebounder.
It was a fruitful weekend for Banghart and the Tar Heels, who were almost at the finish line with the N ° 1 Saniyah Hall before announcing his commitment to the USC at the end of July.
Harpring will be the best rated perimeter player to sign with the UNC ever, and the recruit the best rated from n ° 4 Ciera Toomey in 2023.
The North Carolina also made the commitment of the Top 100 Irene Guiamatsia striker (n ° 48) Friday evening.
