🚨BREAKING: Four-Star Forward Joakim Noah Shocks Recruiting World, Decommits from Chicago State and Recommits to North Carolina Tar Heels in Stunning Return to Chapel Hill
CHAPEL HILL, NC — July 18, 2025
In a move no one saw coming, Joakim Noah II, a four-star power forward and one of the most unique prospects in the Class of 2025, has officially decommitted from Chicago State and recommitted to the North Carolina Tar Heels, reigniting one of the most talked-about recruiting sagas of the year.
Noah, the son of former NBA All-Star and NCAA champion Joakim Noah, originally committed to UNC in the summer of 2024 but shocked many when he flipped to Chicago State in February. At the time, he cited a desire to “build something special at a program overlooked by the basketball elite.”
Now, just five months later, the 6-foot-9 forward from Fort Lauderdale is heading back to blue blood territory — and Tar Heel Nation is celebrating like it’s March Madness.
> “Sometimes the first choice is the right one,” Noah II said in a statement posted to social media. “I have tremendous respect for Chicago State and what they’re trying to do, but my heart’s in Chapel Hill. It’s where I want to grow, win, and represent one of the greatest traditions in basketball.”
A Unique Prospect with a Familiar Name
Joakim Noah II has drawn attention not just because of his bloodline, but because of his game — a mix of rugged old-school toughness and new-school versatility. A tenacious rebounder, disruptive defender, and high-IQ passer, he averaged 16.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game as a senior at Montverde Academy, leading his team to a national top-5 ranking.
While not quite the eccentric personality his father was during his NBA heyday, Joakim II shares the same fiery competitive spirit — and now he’ll be bringing that fire to Dean Smith Center in 2025.
> “Joakim brings leadership, grit, and passion,” said UNC head coach Hubert Davis. “He knows what Carolina basketball means, and he knows what it takes to win at the highest level. We’re thrilled to welcome him home.”
Carolina Reloaded
Noah rejoins a UNC program that’s already stacked with top-tier talent, including seven-foot-nine phenom E.J. N’Dour and elite scoring guard Zion Harmon Jr., who recently made headlines with a $5 million NIL deal. The Tar Heels are now poised to enter the 2025–26 season with one of the deepest and most balanced rosters in the country.
College basketball insiders are calling this the most talent-rich UNC class since the 2005 championship team.
> “Noah’s return makes this frontcourt terrifying,” said ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. “He’s not a stat chaser — he’s a system guy with a winner’s mindset. He complements N’Dour’s length and athleticism perfectly.”
A Full-Circle Moment
In a heartfelt video posted minutes after the announcement, Joakim Noah Sr. offered just six words, smiling proudly in UNC gear:
> “Back where it started. Let’s hoop.”
And with that, Chapel Hill’s championship dreams just got a whole lot closer to reality.
Let me know if you’d like a press conference transcript, mock ESPN article, or social media reaction thread to pair with this!
