University of North Carolina Athletics
Energy For The Season Builds With WBB Hosting Local Media Day
September 3, 2026 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Action for North Carolina is set to resume next month, and the energy is building as women's basketball welcomed members of the media to Carmichael Arena to preview the 2026-27 Tar Heels.
"As coaches, we get to build brick by brick. It's one of our most important months as you emphasize what you emphasize, and what you celebrate, and what you correct," said head coach Courtney Banghart. "You're building your foundation."
"This is an exciting place to be the basketball coach, and I know there's a lot of energy for this team, which is deservedly so."
Welcoming six new faces to the fold in four transfers and two freshmen, the new Tar Heels have meshed quickly with eight returners from last season's Sweet 16 squad.
ACC All-Freshman Team member Nyla Brooks has embraced a leadership role as she enters her sophomore season.
"I'm stepping up here if they got any questions," said Brooks. "The main goal is for everybody to get better and better, and that's what I've been doing ever since."
Brooks remains one of Carolina's biggest threats from beyond the arc, leading the Atlantic Coast Conference among freshmen in 2025-26 with 63 triples made.
The team culture that Brooks is working to nurture is evident already among the newcomers, after bringing in Achol Akot from Oklahoma State, Sophie Burrows from Syracuse, Chloe Clardy from Stanford and Gabby White from Virginia.
"We all have unique pieces, as well as the people that have already been here," said White. "It's going to be special. "I'm excited to play with these girls, you know, new team. For me, at least, I want to play with them, and then we have a couple of really cool trips; we're going to Paris, we're going to be going to all that stuff, so excited to do those."
Youth proves to be a factor on the roster, with two freshmen in Noelle Bofia and Kate Harpring.
Harpring, a highly touted recruit and the 2026 Naismith Girls' High School Player of the Year, made her way to Chapel Hill this summer and has fully delved into workouts.
"There's definitely the competitiveness in every practice," said Harpring. "I feel like every practice is valuable, and it's very competitive in these gyms."
The all-time leading scorer in Georgia high school history is quickly getting used to the pace of play at the collegiate level.
"It's really a big change for a lot of people, and I feel like as I keep playing, I'm going to keep getting better at that. I'm going to want to keep the main thing, the main thing. I feel like basketball will take care of itself if you really don't worry about the 12,000 runs."
Gearing up for her eighth season at the helm of the Tar Heels, Banghart is already praising the competitiveness and drive of the group of 14.
"I mean, they're in here all the time. I mean, this gym, we got to keep changing out these nets. They just work top to bottom, side to side. They really like one another; that's been an easy transition," said Banghart. "The transfers and new guys have added a ton to that, but I also can't help but look at their length and their athleticism. You know, I know that's not their personality, but it kind of is the personality of our team. We've gotten quicker, bigger, and stronger, and faster at the positions that really matter a ton."
North Carolina hosts Davidson in an exhibition game from Carmichael Arena at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 18, as a tune-up before the Tar Heels cross the pond for the 2026 Oui Play against Oklahoma on Nov. 2 in Paris, France.
Season tickets for the 2025-26 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 or 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
"As coaches, we get to build brick by brick. It's one of our most important months as you emphasize what you emphasize, and what you celebrate, and what you correct," said head coach Courtney Banghart. "You're building your foundation."
"This is an exciting place to be the basketball coach, and I know there's a lot of energy for this team, which is deservedly so."
Welcoming six new faces to the fold in four transfers and two freshmen, the new Tar Heels have meshed quickly with eight returners from last season's Sweet 16 squad.
ACC All-Freshman Team member Nyla Brooks has embraced a leadership role as she enters her sophomore season.
"I'm stepping up here if they got any questions," said Brooks. "The main goal is for everybody to get better and better, and that's what I've been doing ever since."
Brooks remains one of Carolina's biggest threats from beyond the arc, leading the Atlantic Coast Conference among freshmen in 2025-26 with 63 triples made.
The team culture that Brooks is working to nurture is evident already among the newcomers, after bringing in Achol Akot from Oklahoma State, Sophie Burrows from Syracuse, Chloe Clardy from Stanford and Gabby White from Virginia.
"We all have unique pieces, as well as the people that have already been here," said White. "It's going to be special. "I'm excited to play with these girls, you know, new team. For me, at least, I want to play with them, and then we have a couple of really cool trips; we're going to Paris, we're going to be going to all that stuff, so excited to do those."
Youth proves to be a factor on the roster, with two freshmen in Noelle Bofia and Kate Harpring.
Harpring, a highly touted recruit and the 2026 Naismith Girls' High School Player of the Year, made her way to Chapel Hill this summer and has fully delved into workouts.
"There's definitely the competitiveness in every practice," said Harpring. "I feel like every practice is valuable, and it's very competitive in these gyms."
The all-time leading scorer in Georgia high school history is quickly getting used to the pace of play at the collegiate level.
"It's really a big change for a lot of people, and I feel like as I keep playing, I'm going to keep getting better at that. I'm going to want to keep the main thing, the main thing. I feel like basketball will take care of itself if you really don't worry about the 12,000 runs."
Gearing up for her eighth season at the helm of the Tar Heels, Banghart is already praising the competitiveness and drive of the group of 14.
"I mean, they're in here all the time. I mean, this gym, we got to keep changing out these nets. They just work top to bottom, side to side. They really like one another; that's been an easy transition," said Banghart. "The transfers and new guys have added a ton to that, but I also can't help but look at their length and their athleticism. You know, I know that's not their personality, but it kind of is the personality of our team. We've gotten quicker, bigger, and stronger, and faster at the positions that really matter a ton."
North Carolina hosts Davidson in an exhibition game from Carmichael Arena at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 18, as a tune-up before the Tar Heels cross the pond for the 2026 Oui Play against Oklahoma on Nov. 2 in Paris, France.
Season tickets for the 2025-26 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 or 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
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