BREAKING: Four-Star Joakim Noah Declines Chicago, Recommits to Tar Heels in Stunning Twist
By Cameron Fields | ESPN College Basketball Insider
July 16, 2025 — Chapel Hill, NC
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, four-star power forward Joakim Noah has officially decommitted from Chicago State and reaffirmed his commitment to the University of North Carolina, sources confirmed Tuesday morning.
The 6’10”, 220-pound rising star — not to be confused with the former NBA All-Star of the same name — had initially pledged to UNC in early 2024 before flipping to Chicago State in a headline-grabbing decision this past spring. But after what insiders describe as “weeks of reflection, family discussions, and conversations with key mentors,” Noah is heading back to Chapel Hill.
> “It’s where my heart is,” Noah told ESPN in an exclusive interview. “UNC is home. The culture, the coaching staff, the
