Ah, life in the portal, where a week can feel like a month with the amount of movement that can happen in such a short period of time. When we last did this exercise, Michael Malone had just been hired as coach, about half the team had entered the portal, and Luka Bogavac was staying (more on him in a moment). But here we are a week later and there is a lot to discuss, so let’s dive in.
Quick reminder that the Portal closes on Tuesday, April 21st — but players do not have to decide by then.
Incoming Players (Players who have committed to UNC)
Neoklis
Avdalas
Avdalas becomes the first player to transfer to North Carolina under Coach Malone and based on where the roster stands he will not be the only one. He is the center piece to the new coaching staff and could have a monster year in Chapel Hill if everything breaks right.
Jarin Stevenson
Stevenson never entered the portal, but reconfirmed his commitment. Nonetheless, he is giving Michael Malone an experienced and versatile big to help stretch the floor and make life difficult for smaller wings and post players. The Chapel Hill native started his career at Alabama but will now finish it with the Tar Heels.
Jaydon Young
Young was the first player to commit to Coach Malone’s Tar Heels (Luka Bogavac was technically first, but again, we will get to him), deciding to stay at North Carolina after originally entering the portal. Young, who wanted to finish his career at UNC, brings leadership to the backcourt and could develop into the three-and-D type of player the new team needs.
Players in Flux (Players in the portal that could be part of next year’s team)
Isaiah Denis
As of this writing, Denis is still in the portal, though there seems to be some momentum for him to return to Chapel Hill this year. Denis has decent size for a guard (6’4”, 180 lbs) and he did hit half of his three-point attempts in a season where he only appeared in 10 games (mostly at the end). Denis is the kind of player who could make a sophomore leap and at a minimum provide depth and stability to any backcourt he is a part of.
Kyan Evans
The only reason Evans is in this section is because he has not committed anywhere yet. Of all the players on this past season’s roster, Evans probably is in the most need of a change of scenery. He has visited with Minnesota (his former coach from Colorado State is head coach there now), while also being connected to some other schools as well.
James Brown
Brown also remains in the portal and though reportedly is taking visits to other schools. Brown is coming off a season-ending injury and is from Missouri, so he may look to transfer closer to home after two forgettable seasons in Chapel Hill, where he collected 15 personal fouls in just 50 minutes of play this past season.
Ivan Matlekovic
Matlekovic, who was a late add to Hubert Davis’ team last season, seemed like he would stick around at the end of Coach Malone’s bench. However, he instead decided to enter the transfer portal. The seven-foot transfer from High Point played very little before having his season end with an injury. He is raw but big and could find a role with a mid-major.
Juke Harris
The North Carolina coaching staff met with Harris in Salisbury this past weekend after the transfer from Wake Forest returned from his visit with Michigan. Harris, who has also entered his name in the draft process, is most closely linked to the Wolverines, Tar Heels, and the Tennessee Volunteers, who appear to be the favorites, and would provide defense and shooting to any teams starting backcourt.
Terrence Brown Jr
Brown was in Chapel Hill for an official visit this past Monday and Tuesday. Though he left Chapel Hill without committing, the Tar Heels are still considered a favorite along with Kansas and Kentucky, who he is visiting this week. Brown averaged 19.9 ppg, including 18 20+ point performances, last year in a very tough conference (albeit on a very bad Utah team).
Moving Out (Players who have committed elsewhere)
Derek Dixon
After taking over as lead guard for the Tar Heels last season, Dixon entered the portal and officially committed to Arizona this week. With the Wildcats losing their starting guard to graduation, Dixon should have the opportunity to compete for the starting role on a team that made the Final Four this past season.
Luka Bogavac
After originally stating he was staying, Bogavac reversed course and entered the transfer portal this past weekend. He wasn’t there long, finding a new home with Oklahoma St. The Cowboys should provide Bogavac with the starting minutes he was originally looking for at UNC.
Jonathan Powell
Despite being one of former head coach Hubert Davis’s few trusted players, Powell also entered the portal and was the first to find a new home in Pittsburgh. The Panthers should provide him a starting role and plenty of minutes that would probably not have been available at North Carolina.
Zayden High
Like everyone else on this list, High entered his name in the portal around the same time Malone was introduced as head coach, and even though he left open the possibility for return, the Texas native officially chose to head to South Florida this week (the university in Tampa, not to Miami like a certain NBA player did 16 years ago). High should find a starting role with the Bulls or at a minimum provide energy and depth off the bench.
One final note; in addition to the reconfirming of Maximo Adams and the parting of ways with Dylan Mingo, North Carolina also received a reconfirmation from Malloy Smith, son of UNC legend Kenny Smith. Additionally, as of this writing Henri Veesaar has made no announcements about his future with the Tar Heels.
