Kate Harpring commits to UNC

Kate Harpring, ranked No. 4 in the 2026 ESPNW 100, commits to North Carolina after a wide recruiting process.

North Carolina lands Kate Harpring No 4 in 2026 ESPNW 100

Kate Harpring, the No. 4 player in the 2026 ESPNW 100, has committed to North Carolina. The 5 foot 10 guard visited UNC, UCLA, Iowa and Vanderbilt and drew offers from many top programs including UConn, South Carolina, Duke, Texas and Tennessee. Harpring announced the choice on Saturday, saying the UNC family drew her in and that the program has a clear plan for her development.

Harpring recently helped the USA under-19 team win gold at the FIBA U19 World Cup and has built a reputation as a tough two way guard. On the adidas 3SSB circuit she averaged 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game and was named Overtime Select MVP in 2024. She is known for scoring ability on offense and for her defense and rebounding on the other end.

Harpring will be the highest rated perimeter player to sign with North Carolina ever and she joins Irene Guiamatsia (No. 48) as part of a weekend of commitments. She is the daughter of former NBA player Matt Harpring, who played a long pro career after starring at Georgia Tech. UNC has built momentum under coach Courtney Banghart, a momentum that continued with Harpring after a near miss with another top recruit earlier in the summer.

Harpring arrives as a signal that UNC is betting on guard play as a centerpiece of its program. The move fits a broader pattern in which Wall Street like recruiting power meets on court needs, and it underscores Banghart s emphasis on versatile, two way players who can guard, rebound and contribute as scorers. The weekend adds depth to a 2026 class that already included Guiamatsia and shows UNC trying to convert ranking into long term impact in the ACC and beyond.

The challenge for Harpring will be translating high school production into college consistency. If she adapts quickly, she could shape UNC s guard rotation for years and raise the ceiling for the program. If the transition lags, expectations could sharpen quickly and invite scrutiny from fans and opponents alike. The coming seasons will reveal how much this recruiting surge translates into sustained success on the floor.

Highlights

The Tar Heels push forward with a guard heavy approach that will be tested on the court.