Heel Tough Blog: UNC Adds Legacy Commit to 2026 Class

Tipton Edits

On Friday, after learning that Caleb Wilson was officially out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, the Carolina Basketball program received some positive recruiting news, as they landed the commitment of 2026 three-star combo guard, Malloy Smith, the son of former UNC standout, Kenny “The Jet” Smith. Mally stands at 6-5, and is a product of Mater Dei High School, a school known for producing top-flight QB prospects, including Bryce Young, the QB of the Carolina Panthers in the NFL. 

Carolina officially offered Smith back in February, and he visited shortly after that, and was seen spotted on the sidelines having a conversation with former UNC head coach Roy Williams. Roughly a week after that offer, Smith committed to Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels over ACC foe California, joining five-star prospect Dylan Mingo and four-star wing Maximo Adams, as recruits set to join the Carolina Basketball program later this summer. 

Smith’s stats won’t catch the eye of anyone, as according to MaxPreps, Smith is averaging 8.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists as a senior, but this recruitment is another example of what makes Carolina Basketball different. Smith is a legacy Tar Heel and is following in the footsteps of his father and his older brother, KJ, who also played for UNC. Malloy Smith isn’t going to crack any recruiting rankings (he’s unlisted on 247Sports), but given his connection to Carolina and to Chapel Hill, Hubert Davis and the staff were willing to offer him a scholarship, something that most schools wouldn’t be willing to do. 

The commitment of Smith brings Carolina’s class up to three commits, likely meaning they are done adding high school talent for the 2026-27 season, and will wait for the transfer portal to open up to address rebuilding the roster for next season. 

The Four Corners Podcast: