UVA makes top-30 Cloer’s list of eight

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia has made the cut list for the top prospect in the state of North Carolina, 6-foot-7 small forward Cole Cloer of Hillsborough.

Cloer announced on social media his final eight schools are: Virginia, North Carolina, NC State, Louisville, Alabama, Florida, Indiana and UConn.

He has eliminated: Villanova, Tennessee, South Carolina, Ohio State, Miami, Providence, Oregon, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Wake Forest and Georgetown.

Cloer, who also announced that he will transfer from Greensboro’s Cole Academy to IMG Academy for his senior season, is rated as the No. 26 overall prospect in the nation in the recruiting class of 2026, according to the On3 composite rankings. On3 also has him as the No. 11 small forward in the country and the top prospect at any position in the Tar Heel state.

Cloer has three official visits set: Virginia (Aug. 30), Florida (Sept. 6) and Alabama (Oct. 18). He has already made unofficial visits to UNC, ‘Bama and NC State.

In an interview with On3’s Joe Tipton, Cloer talked about what he likes about his finalists, including Virginia:

“For me, it’s the new coaching staff that just moved there,” Cloer said. “They were at VCU and they have been recruiting me since I was a freshman. I love the coaching staff. With the program, they’re in the ACC and they’re a legendary program. I love Coach (Ryan) Odom … he’s a great dude, on the court or off the court. I love the way they play. I’ve grown to know Coach (Bryant) Crawford, the assistant over there. They’re all great people.”