The trio of Michael Malone, Chuck Martin and Pat Sullivan opened the live period weekend at the Adidas 3SSB event in Mishawaka, Indiana, and it didn’t take long for them to discover a prospect they believe could be a perfect fit for Chapel Hill.
Michael Malone hands out first Class of 2028 offer
After just one game, UNC’s coaching staff made it clear that 7-footer Yann Kamagate had become a major recruiting priority. Following an eye-catching performance in which he posted 16 points and 19 rebounds, the Tar Heels quickly extended an offer to the rising big man.
What makes Kamagate even more impressive is the fact that he’s only a sophomore in the Class of 2028. Standing 7-foot-1 and weighing 230 pounds, he already possesses the size and physical tools that make him one of the most intriguing young prospects in the country.
North Carolina isn’t alone in recognizing his talent. Since Thursday, programs such as Kansas, Baylor and UCLA have also jumped into the mix with offers, joining schools like USC, Houston, Texas A&M, Arizona and Creighton that were already pursuing him.
With his rapid rise, Kamagate is quickly becoming one of the hottest names in the 2028 recruiting cycle.
247Sports analyst Eric Bossi recently praised Kamagate’s upside after evaluating him during competition last month:
“Pushing seven-feet with long arms and a wiry strong frame built to carry more mass, Kamagate puts the elite in elite athlete.
He runs the floor effortlessly, finishes lobs at a high level and plays with nonstop energy.
Even though he didn’t have his best outing in front of 247Sports, his potential stood out immediately during a 12-point, nine-rebound performance.
Though currently unranked, he’s expected to make a strong debut in the next 2028 rankings and could very well enter as a five-star prospect.”
While Malone, Martin and Sullivan handled evaluations in Indiana, Sean May traveled to Memphis for the EYBL event, where he spent the weekend scouting several of UNC’s existing recruiting targets.
The Tar Heels are focused on players already on their radar, but the staff is also keeping a close eye on emerging prospects who could eventually fit into the program.
Kamagate certainly made a lasting impression on the UNC staff with his dominant showing. As his recruitment continues to gain momentum, he’s shaping up to be one of the most sought-after prospects in the entire 2028 class.
