UNC students greeted five-star recruit Dylan Mingo with “We Want Mingo” signs ahead of the Tar Heels’ game against N.C. Central earlier this season.
Mingo gave the Tar Heels what they wanted on Tuesday, Feb. 17, announcing his commitment to UNC and coach Hubert Davis on ESPN’s First Take. The 6-foot-5 combo guard from New York picked the Tar Heels over Baylor, Penn State and Washington.
Mingo is the second recruit in UNC’s 2026 recruiting class, joining top-25 wing Maximo Adams. Here’s a breakdown of Mingo’s game and what he can provide for the Tar Heels in the 2026-27 season.
Dylan Mingo scouting report as UNC basketball recruit
The No. 5 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class and second-ranked combo guard, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Mingo figures to slide into a Seth Trimble-type role for the Tar Heels. A 6-foot-5 guard with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Mingo has elite two-way potential as a rebounder and versatile defender. He’ll have to improve his shooting touch and mechanics, but Mingo knows his spots on the floor and can get to them.
An ankle injury has limited him in his senior year at Long Island Lutheran, but Mingo averaged 23.8 points, 6.8 assists and 6.5 rebounds in four games at the NBPA Top 100 camp, earning MVP honors. A MaxPreps All-America performer in 2025, Mingo averaged 14.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game.
Dylan Mingo fit with UNC basketball roster, Tar Heels 2026 recruiting class
Mingo and Adams are the first two pieces of UNC’s 2026 recruiting class. The Tar Heels have also offered combo guard Malloy Smith from California.
Of the players on UNC’s 2025-26 roster, only senior guard Seth Trimble is a lock to not be with the Tar Heels next season. Freshman forward Caleb Wilson is likely to join that list as a player projected to be a top-10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Junior center Henri Veesaar has also picked up steam as a potential first-round pick.
Outside of those three players, UNC is positioned to return the rest of the players that are expected to be key contributors for this year’s team. That group includes Alabama transfer Jarin Stevenson (junior), West Virginia transfer Jonathan Powell (sophomore), Virginia Tech transfer Jaydon Young (junior) and international prospect Luka Bogavac (junior).
The best options could be the players you’re able to retain, so UNC might not need to add much via the 2026 recruiting class. But the Tar Heels will likely fill in the gaps through the transfer portal with experienced players.
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to [email protected].
