North Carolina and Michael Malone better be on their best behavior.
Malone has once again landed a visit from another highly touted recruit, making this 2027 recruiting cycle a very promising one for Tar Heels fans.
Chapel Hill will be hosting 4-star Asa Montgomery for an official visit on Sept. 25. North Carolina will be one of many stops for the talented small forward.
Montgomery’s Visit Schedule
Montgomery’s official visiting tour will begin with LSU on Aug. 28 and will make stops at Florida, UConn, Providence, North Carolina, Duke, and Arizona before finishing with a trip to Louisville on Oct. 30.
Montgomery is a 6’7″ small forward prospect from Powder Springs, Georgia. He’s ranked a 4-star by 247Sports and listed as the 42nd overall prospect and 11th-ranked small forward in the 2027 class.
Unfortunately for Heels fans, 247Sports has also given only two teams a “warm” rating relating to Montgomery’s interest, and Duke is one of them. The two blue-blooded rivals will once again battle it out, this time off the court.
Montgomery’s versatility is what makes him unique for North Carolina. He possesses a 6’10” wingspan and has the versatility to excel in roles as a wing or as a stretch four.
NBA Comparison Connects to Malone
When watching Asa Montgomery’s film, he may draw a comparison to a Nuggets player who won an NBA Championship under Michael Malone.
Both Montgomery and Aaron Gordon share similarities in their archetype. Both guys are explosive, versatile combo forwards with similar frames.
Both also have defensive versatility, allowing them to defend multiple positions on the floor. Montgomery’s energy, offensive rebounding, and cutting to finish around the rim all come off as similarities between him and the former NBA Champion.
Overall, Montgomery has major upside that Malone can hopefully bring to Chapel Hill. Malone has already done excellent work in gaining interest from many of the top recruits this cycle, with Montgomery being the latest to report mutual interest.
It could be an excellent offseason for the Heels if they can turn these interests into commitments. I wouldn’t expect any of these top recruits to make up their mind anytime in the near future, but it’s good to know North Carolina is at the front of their minds.
Michael Malone will have to continue working to make sure Montgomery knows where home is, and better yet, why committing to Chapel Hill is certainly better than the school down the road.
