🚨CONFIRMED: Nation’s Top College Player and Elite 2026 Four-Star Forward Commit to UNC, Citing “Culture Over Hype” in Stunning Recruiting Coup
By Tyler Donovan | ESPN College Basketball Insider
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — July 16, 2025
In a recruiting bombshell that has left rivals scrambling and Tar Heel fans euphoric, Zayden Blake, the reigning National Player of the Year, and Tariq “TQ” Lawson, a highly touted 2026 four-star power forward, have officially committed to the University of North Carolina, creating a seismic moment in college basketball’s ever-shifting power structure.
Blake, a 6-foot-6 guard from Chicago, was the most sought-after player in the portal after averaging 21.3 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore at Arizona. The two-time First Team All-American shocked the basketball world this morning by announcing he would spend his junior season in Chapel Hill, passing on blockbuster NIL offers from Duke, Kentucky, and Alabama.
Just minutes after Blake’s announcement, UNC received a second commitment — this time from Tariq Lawson, a 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward from Atlanta and the No. 29 overall prospect in the 2026 class. Known for his tenacious rebounding and elite motor, Lawson had previously named Alabama and Kentucky as co-leaders, but said Blake’s decision “tilted the scale.”
In a joint statement released via UNC’s official social media channels, Blake and Lawson explained the motivation behind their move:
“We’re choosing culture over hype, legacy over flash. UNC isn’t just a brand — it’s a brotherhood. We want banners, not just followers.”
Head coach Hubert Davis called the day “transformational” for Carolina Basketball.
“This is what it means to wear Carolina Blue,” Davis said. “Zayden is the ultimate competitor — a leader who elevates everyone around him. TQ brings energy, size, and a drive that reminds me of a young Brice Johnson. Together, they’re going to leave their mark on this program in a big way.”
Sources say Blake’s decision came down to UNC’s playing style and proven NBA pipeline. After spending a weekend in Chapel Hill, where he scrimmaged with returning stars Cooper Byers and Jalen Moreland, Blake was reportedly “blown away” by the chemistry, coaching intensity, and team-first mentality.
Lawson’s recruitment had been trending toward Kentucky, but Blake’s surprise commitment — and a late-night Zoom call from UNC legend Ty Lawson (no relation) — helped seal the deal.
“Ty told me what it really means to be a Tar Heel,” the younger Lawson said. “He said it’s about family, about doing it the right way, and not chasing clout. That stuck with me.”
The dual commitments vault UNC into early favorite status for the 2025–26 national title and set the stage for a dominant recruiting run in the 2026 class. Analysts now believe UNC may land two more five-star targets before the early signing period ends.
“I didn’t come here to be comfortable,” Blake told ESPN exclusively. “I came here to win it all. And I’m bringing others with me.”
In Chapel Hill, expectations were already high. After today, they’re sky-high — and suddenly very real.
Let me know if you’d like a recruiting class breakdown or mock lineup projection with these players added.
