BREAKING: UNC Lands Gonzaga Big Man Recruit, Nyk Lewis — 7-Foot, No. 55 Overall Prospect Commits to Tar Heels Men’s Basketball Over Power-5 Heavyweights
The North Carolina Tar Heels have pulled off another recruiting stunner.
In a seismic shift on the college basketball landscape, 7-foot center and No. 55 overall prospect Nyk Lewis has announced his commitment to UNC, flipping from a strong lean toward Gonzaga and spurning offers from several elite Power-5 programs, including Kentucky, Michigan State, and UCLA. The towering big man, known for his rim protection, powerful post presence, and emerging offensive arsenal, becomes a marquee addition to Hubert Davis’ 2025 recruiting class.
Originally expected to continue the long line of dominant big men at Gonzaga, Lewis shocked the recruiting world when he revealed in a heartfelt announcement video that he would be trading Spokane for Chapel Hill. “There’s just something special about UNC,” Lewis said. “The tradition, the family, the legacy of bigs who dominate — that’s the path I want to follow.”
Indeed, North Carolina’s lineage of elite frontcourt talent, from Tyler Hansbrough to Sean May to Armando Bacot, clearly played a significant role in swaying the young phenom. Lewis’s decision sends a clear message: UNC is back in the thick of national recruiting battles and winning.
At 7-feet tall with a wingspan stretching nearly 7’5″, Lewis is not just a shot-blocker but a dynamic two-way threat. In his junior season at Henderson Prep in Nevada, he averaged 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game. His high motor, soft hands, and improved footwork around the rim make him a matchup nightmare. Scouts have raved about his defensive instincts and his ability to alter shots without fouling — a rare trait for players his age.
What makes Lewis even more intriguing is his commitment to becoming a complete player. Over the past year, he’s been working tirelessly on extending his range and becoming more fluid in the pick-and-roll game. That development, paired with UNC’s up-tempo system, could turn him into a breakout star the moment he steps onto the Dean Smith Center floor.
Coach Hubert Davis was jubilant about the addition. “Nyk is a game-changer — not just because of his size and skill, but because of his heart, his work ethic, and his commitment to excellence,” Davis said. “He embodies what it means to be a Tar Heel.”
Lewis joins a growing and highly-ranked recruiting class that already includes several top-100 players, setting the stage for a return to national title contention for the Tar Heels. With Lewis anchoring the middle, UNC now has the inside dominance to complement its explosive guard play.
Recruiting experts are already calling this one of the most strategic commitments of the cycle. It’s a win not just for UNC, but for ACC basketball, which now gains another rising star set to dominate the paint for years to come.
As Tar Heel Nation celebrates, one thing is clear: the Dean Dome is about to be home to another towering legend. Welcome to Chapel Hill, Nyk Lewis — the next great Tar Heel big man is here.
