WELCOME TO UNC BASKETBALL: Nation’s No. 1 Player — 7-Foot-9 E.J. N’Dour — Flips Commitment to North Carolina, Shocks College Hoops World
CHAPEL HILL, NC — July 18, 2025
In a decision that rocked the foundation of college basketball, Elijah “E.J.” N’Dour, the 7-foot-9 global phenom and consensus No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2025, has flipped his commitment from Duke to the University of North Carolina, delivering one of the most dramatic recruiting twists in NCAA history.
N’Dour, born in Dakar, Senegal, and raised in Las Vegas, made the announcement during a packed national broadcast on ESPN. With millions watching, he initially reached for a Duke cap, paused, then smiled and revealed a Carolina Blue jersey underneath his jacket — sending UNC fans into a frenzy.
> “I prayed on it. I thought hard. And when I walked through Chapel Hill, I felt the legacy,” N’Dour said. “This isn’t just about basketball. It’s about making history with a family that’s built to win.”
At 7-foot-9, with a 9’10” standing reach and an 8’ wingspan, N’Dour is unlike anything college basketball has ever seen. But it’s not just his height — scouts call him a once-in-a-generation hybrid: elite footwork, high basketball IQ, midrange polish, and terrifying rim protection. His game has been likened to a mix of Victor Wembanyama, David Robinson, and Kevin Garnett.
At the McDonald’s All-American Game, N’Dour recorded 28 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 blocks in just 24 minutes, showcasing guard-like mobility and dominant interior presence. NBA scouts unanimously project him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft — if not a potential future franchise cornerstone.
His initial commitment to Duke in March shocked many, considering UNC had recruited him since he was 14. But behind the scenes, Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis and newly appointed Senior Coaching Advisor James Worthy stayed quietly persistent.
> “We never stopped believing,” said Davis. “When you know a player fits your culture, you stay ready. And now, it’s real — E.J. is a Tar Heel.”
N’Dour joins what’s being called the greatest recruiting class in UNC history, featuring five-star guard Zion Harmon Jr., who recently inked a $5 million NIL deal, and dynamic wing Marcus Landry. Carolina now holds the top spot in every major recruiting ranking, with expectations sky-high.
Back in Chapel Hill, fans erupted in spontaneous celebration. Franklin Street filled with students waving signs reading “The Giant is a Heel” and “UNC Tower Defense Activated.” Within hours, N’Dour’s UNC jersey — No. 77 — became the highest-selling preorder in school history.
> “This isn’t just a commitment,” said ESPN analyst Jay Bilas. “It’s a power shift. This flips the script in college basketball. You don’t just get a player like E.J. — you get a movement.”
For N’Dour, the decision came down to legacy.
> “Michael Jordan made his name here. James Worthy, Vince Carter — they built something. I’m not trying to follow in their footsteps. I’m trying to leave my own.”
And with that, college basketball just got a new king — and he’s headed to Chapel Hill.
Let me know if you’d like a mock press kit, recruitment timeline graphic, or social media breakdown to go with this!
