University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Selected To Finish Third, Harpring Picks Up ACC Freshman Preseason Honors
October 13, 2026 | Women's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – For the second-straight season, North Carolina women's basketball is predicted to finish third in the league in the Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Poll, while Kate Harpring earned a spot on the Preseason All-Freshman Team.
One of the highest-rated recruits in North Carolina history, Harpring tallied 493 votes to lead all freshmen on the Preseason All-Freshman Team voted on by the league's head coaches and Blue Ribbon Panel.
The 2026 Jersey Mike's Girls' High School Player of the Year, Harpring was touted as the No.1 player in the Class of 2026 by 247Sports. The 2026 Georgia Girls Gatorade Player of the Year and a 2026 McDonald's All-American, Harpring is the sixth signee with the Golden Arches honors under head coach Courtney Banghart. As the Georgia all-time leading scorer with 3,435 career points, Harpring led the Marist School to back-to-back 4A State Titles.
Carolina has now had a rookie earn a spot on the ACC Preseason All-Freshman team in back-to-back seasons, with Nyla Brooks picking up the honor last year.
Finishing in third last season after tallying 14 wins to tie for the second most in a season in program history, Carolina went on to reach its second consecutive Sweet 16 for its third in the last five seasons.
Eight Tar Heels are ready to run it back, with Ciera Toomey leading the way as the team's returning leader in scoring and rebounding after posting 8.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season.
Hitting the portal and the recruiting trail, Banghart and company added four Power 4 transfers and brought in two top 100 recruits to boast Carolina's depth.
Fans can catch their first glimpse at the 2026-27 Tar Heels on Sunday, Oct. 18, as Carolina welcomes Davidson in its lone home exhibition at 1 p.m. ET. Admission to Carmichael Arena against the Wildcats is free and open to all. Sunday's game will not be broadcast on television but can be listened to on the airwaves through Tar Heel Sports Network and WCHL 97.9/1360.
Carolina goes global to start the regular season, heading to Paris, France, to face Oklahoma on Monday, Nov. 2, for the 2026 Oui Play at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Season tickets for the 2026-27 season remain on sale. For more information regarding tickets, visit goheels.com/tickets or reach out to the UNC Athletic Ticket Office at 919-926-2296 tickets@unc.edu.
Stay up to date with the latest North Carolina women's basketball news on X at @UNCWBB, Instagram @UNCWBB, and Facebook at Carolina Women's Basketball.Â
2026-27 ACC Women's Basketball Preseason Awards & Poll
One of the highest-rated recruits in North Carolina history, Harpring tallied 493 votes to lead all freshmen on the Preseason All-Freshman Team voted on by the league's head coaches and Blue Ribbon Panel.
The 2026 Jersey Mike's Girls' High School Player of the Year, Harpring was touted as the No.1 player in the Class of 2026 by 247Sports. The 2026 Georgia Girls Gatorade Player of the Year and a 2026 McDonald's All-American, Harpring is the sixth signee with the Golden Arches honors under head coach Courtney Banghart. As the Georgia all-time leading scorer with 3,435 career points, Harpring led the Marist School to back-to-back 4A State Titles.
Carolina has now had a rookie earn a spot on the ACC Preseason All-Freshman team in back-to-back seasons, with Nyla Brooks picking up the honor last year.
Finishing in third last season after tallying 14 wins to tie for the second most in a season in program history, Carolina went on to reach its second consecutive Sweet 16 for its third in the last five seasons.
Eight Tar Heels are ready to run it back, with Ciera Toomey leading the way as the team's returning leader in scoring and rebounding after posting 8.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season.
Hitting the portal and the recruiting trail, Banghart and company added four Power 4 transfers and brought in two top 100 recruits to boast Carolina's depth.
Fans can catch their first glimpse at the 2026-27 Tar Heels on Sunday, Oct. 18, as Carolina welcomes Davidson in its lone home exhibition at 1 p.m. ET. Admission to Carmichael Arena against the Wildcats is free and open to all. Sunday's game will not be broadcast on television but can be listened to on the airwaves through Tar Heel Sports Network and WCHL 97.9/1360.
Carolina goes global to start the regular season, heading to Paris, France, to face Oklahoma on Monday, Nov. 2, for the 2026 Oui Play at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Season tickets for the 2026-27 season remain on sale. For more information regarding tickets, visit goheels.com/tickets or reach out to the UNC Athletic Ticket Office at 919-926-2296 tickets@unc.edu.
Stay up to date with the latest North Carolina women's basketball news on X at @UNCWBB, Instagram @UNCWBB, and Facebook at Carolina Women's Basketball.Â
2026-27 ACC Women's Basketball Preseason Awards & Poll
Preseason Player of the Year
Hannah Hidalgo, Sr., G, Notre Dame
Preseason All-ACC Team (76 voters)
Hannah Hidalgo, Sr., G, Notre Dame 871
Toby Fournier, Jr., F, Duke 767
Kymora Johnson, Sr., G, Virginia 655
Uche Izoje, So., C, Syracuse 466
Khamil Pierre, Sr., F, NC State 456
Zoe Brooks, Sr., F, NC State 455
Tajianna Roberts, Jr., G, Louisville 265
Imari Berry, Jr., G, Louisville 220
Talayah Walker, Jr., G, Georgia Tech 202
Lulu Twidale, Sr., G, California 113
Preseason All-Freshman Team
Kate Harpring, G, North Carolina 493
Jacy Abii, G/F, Notre Dame 376
Autumn Fleary, G, Duke 274
Bella Flemings, G, Duke 205
Missy Odom, F, Florida State 99
Kimora Fields, F, Clemson 96
Predicted Order of Finish (76 voters)
- Duke (49), 1649
- Louisville (22), 1580
- North Carolina (1), 1462
- Notre Dame (4), 1450
- NC State, 1337
- Virginia, 1085
- Syracuse, 1009
- Virginia Tech, 1003
- Clemson, 988
- California, 786
- Miami, 689
- Georgia Tech, 684
- Stanford, 674
- Florida State, 603
- SMU, 373
- Wake Forest, 296
- Pitt, 236
- Boston College, 170
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, October 13
Monday, October 12
Monday, October 12
Monday, October 12