Top 2025 recruit Taissa Queiroz commits to North Carolina Tar Heels

Top 2025 recruit Taissa Queiroz has committed to North Carolina, she told On3. She chose the Tar Heels over Kansas State, Utah, Washington, Colorado and Gonzaga. 

“My family and I had so much fun on the visit,” Queiroz told On3. “I love the energy of coach [Courtney] Banghart. She’s an incredible woman, and I think she’s gonna help me a lot to develop as a player, but at the same time as a woman.”

The relationships she built were crucial in Queiroz’s decision. 

“I think all of her assistant coaches and her staff, they showed me on the official visit, not just around me, but being around with the girls, that they are great people, and they just want the best for their players. It was wonderful for me. It was really great to be at UNC, and now I’ll be a part of the family.”

Queiroz also told On3 that she plans to graduate early and enroll at UNC for the Spring semester.

“Having grown up in the South American education system, which operates on the calendar year, I chose to take summer school to fast track my United States graduation requirements,” Queiroz told On3. “This will enable me to graduate in December and enroll at UNC in January 2025. I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to get to know the Chapel Hill community, support my teammates and prepare myself for my playing in the Fall of 2025.”

Taissa Queiroz loved atmosphere at UNC

Taissa Queiroz, a 5-foot-11 forward from Brazil who attends Cardinal Newman High School, also loves the program’s play style and the culture she experienced on her official visit. 

“I really like how they play,” Queiroz said. “I think they’re a really good team. They play together and I spent some time with them and I really saw that, as a family, they’re really there to support each other. The seniors are going to help the freshman. They always try to help everyone. I was kind of like, ‘Okay, I am going to fit here, because I’m a part of that.’ I want to learn everything from the older girls, but at the same time, I want to help the next generation too, so I really think at UNC, that’s going to happen.”

But beyond that, Queiroz is simply excited to be a student-athlete and experience what she’s been watching on TV her whole life.

“I think I started seeing the atmosphere of games and seeing other players,” Queiroz said. “You’re seeing it on the TV, but now you’re playing it. You can learn so many things about basketball. I think I’m really excited for that. I’m also super excited about my new teammates and all the freshmen.”

Queiroz joins Nyla Brooks and Taliyah Henderson in the 2025 class for the Tar Heels.