By R.L. Bynum
Michael Malone will welcome one of his top remaining 2027 targets to Chapel Hill this weekend, as four-star forward Asa Montgomery is reportedly set to take his official visit to UNC.
Montgomery, a 6–7 forward out of Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Ga., has climbed to No. 8 on the 247 Composite rankings of the Class of 2027, and this weekend’s trip is one of eight official visits Montgomery has planned for the fall.
Malone and his staff extended an offer to Montgomery in July. At the time, Montgomery was already regarded as a class of 2027 4-star small forward whose recruitment was picking up steam.
Auburn, Georgia and Georgia Tech had been involved with Montgomery for months by that point, but the summer brought a wave of new suitors. Those schools include UNC, Houston and Florida, and Montgomery has been candid about what the attention has meant to him.
“I’ve been hearing from bigger schools,” Montgomery told 247 Sports. “It’s just a blessing. I’ve just got to keep working.”
Part of what’s driving that attention is a game that keeps expanding. Montgomery has taken on a larger role with his Athletes of Tomorrow (AOT) program on the EYCL circuit, becoming the primary ball handler and generating offense at a level that made him the league leader in scoring.
Subscribe to read Tar Heel Tribune ad-free
Subscribe for a cleaner, smoother reading experience without the flashing banners, slow-loading elements, or those especially annoying pop‑up ads that interrupt the flow of the story. You’ll also get the first version of each story emailed to you. The only ads you’ll see are static, non-intrusive ads for UNC‑related books, and there are none currently on the site.
More on Tar Heels
— Start times set for UNC’s three men’s basketball exhibition games
— Sleepless nights while making Dean proud: Jamison’s hand in hiring Malone
— Veesaar tears right ACL, expected to miss entire season
— Modest, but respectable: Where Malone’s first team falls in preseason rankings, metrics as practice starts
— UNC’s men get ESPN spotlight on first night of SEC/ACC Challenge; women play on night two
— UNC focuses on top Class of 2027 point guards, with Black, Anderson visiting on successive weeks
His summer also included a run with USA Basketball, which won gold at the FIBA World Cup, an experience Montgomery pointed to when discussing his season overall. He averaged 9.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and nearly a block a game, netting 23 points in a 141-85 victory over Cameroon.
For UNC, the appeal of Montgomery’s game centers on his versatility. He has a 6–10 wingspan and the versatility to excel as a wing or stretch four, giving Malone’s staff a frame that could fit multiple positions.
Scouts have even drawn a comparison between Montgomery and Aaron Gordon, the NBA champion forward Malone coached in Denver. The two share a similar frame and defensive versatility, along with an ability to impact the game through energy, offensive rebounding and finishing around the rim.
Whether that comparison translates into a commitment remains to be seen. Montgomery’s list still includes established programs like Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan and Michigan State. Seven more official visits scheduled beyond this weekend, his recruitment figures to stretch well into the fall.
UNC targets
Class of 2027
| Pos. | Stars | Name | Hgt | Wgt | Hometown | Rank * |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG | 5 | Nasir Anderson | 6–4 | 205 | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | 10 |
| PG | 5 | Beckham Black | 6–3 | 180 | Orlando, Fla. | 1 |
| CG | 5 | NaVorro Bowman Jr. | 6–3 | 180 | Sherman Oaks, Calif. | 11 |
| CG | 5 | Jalen Davis | 6–3 | 165 | Bremerton, Wash. | 16 |
| CG | 5 | Adan Diggs | 6–5 | 180 | Goodyear, Ariz. | 6 |
| W | 5 | Jordan Page | 6–5 | 205 | Raleigh | 12 |
| SF | 5 | Demarcus Henry | 6–7 | 190 | Chandler, Ariz. | 3 |
| SF | 4 | Asa Montgomery | 6–7 | 195 | Powder Springs, Ga. | 8 |
| SF | 5 | AJ Williams | 6–8 | 210 | McDonough, Ga. | 5 |
| PF | 5 | CJ Rosser | 6–10 | 195 | Orlando, Fla. | 2 |
| C | 5 | Paul Osaruyi | 6–10 | 220 | Scottsdale, Ariz. | 20 |
| C | 5 | Lewis Ovwo | 6–10 | 225 | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | 7 |
Class of 2028
| Pos. | Stars | Name | Hgt | Wgt | Hometown | Rank* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CG | 5 | Brady Pettigrew | 6–3 | 185 | Bolingbrook, Ill. | 14 |
| SF | 5 | Colton Hiller | 6–6 | 210 | Coatesville, Pa. | 1 |
| C | 5 | Dylan Betts | 7–3 | 230 | Bradenton, Fla. | 12 |
| C | 5 | Yann Kamagate | 7–0 | 230 | La Canada Flintridge, Calif. | 2 |
Photos courtesy of FIBA
1 Comment