Heel Tough Blog: Tar Heel Legacy to Stay, Sign With Team on Wednesday

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The 2026 recruiting class will officially sign on Wednesday and on Tuesday, the Tar Heels got confirmation that they will have a two-man recruiting class this season.

As first reported by Inside Carolina on Tuesday morning, 2026 3✮ PG Malloy Smith is going to stick with his commitment and sign with the Tar Heels on Wednesday. Smith, the son of UNC great Kenny Smith, committed to previous head coach Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels in March following a visit in late February to the team’s victory over Virginia Tech.

Smith, the No. 379 overall prospect and No. 68 point guard in the class according to On3’s Industry Rankings, comes to Chapel Hill from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, CA. Smith’s stats won’t catch many eyes, as according to MaxPreps, he averaged 8.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists as a senior, but this recruitment was just another example of what makes Carolina Basketball different. Smith, 6’6, 190 lbs., is a legacy Tar Heel and is following in the footsteps of his father and his older brother, KJ, who also played for UNC.

This is not a surprise move, especially considering how supportive his dad was of the hire of new head coach Michael Malone. Smith will be joined by fellow California-based product Maximo Adams to make up the team’s two-player class after the program and Dylan Mingo parted ways on Monday night. While Smith might not be expected to be a significant piece for the Tar Heels, this is still some nice depth for a roster that currently is without a point guard on the roster.