NFLBy Brad Sherrod
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. —Whether you’re a Tar Heels fan or not, any firsthand doubts about first-year coach Mike Malone will need to wait. Why? Because Malone had a strong showing in the transfer portal.
North Carolina entered the portal facing major roster turnover. Star freshman and leading scorer Caleb Wilson left for the NBA draft. He is likely to be one of the top picks in a star-studded class – something Tar Heels fans haven’t seen in years.
The program also lost several returning players following the firing of former coach Hubert Davis. Guard Derek Dixon is heading to Arizona. Jonathan Powell committed to Pittsburgh. Luka Bogavac is leaving for Oklahoma State.
Malone now has to replace most, if not all, of a starting five for his new-look Tar Heels. Fans were left wondering how a first-time college coach would adjust to the transfer portal after being hired less than a week earlier. Indeed, how will the former NBA championship coach adapt to the modern NCAA landscape and NIL era?
Malone and his staff answered that question quickly.
UNC expects to have a top-five transfer portal class after landing several high-impact players. Among them are 6-foot-3 Utah transfer guard Terrence Brown, who averaged 19 points in the Big 12. Then, Virginia Tech standout Neoklis Avdalas, considered the No. 2 combo guard in the portal. Also, former NC State guard Matt Able, a familiar face along Tobacco Road. His best performance came against UNC when he knocked down five of seven 3-pointers.
The Tar Heels’ frontcourt took another hit when Henri Veesaar declared for the NBA draft, leaving a significant hole. The decision came as a surprise to the UNC staff, which reportedly had a substantial NIL offer on the table for him.
While Veesaar still has the option to return, he is currently projected as the No. 26 prospect and a late first-round pick. His stock could benefit from roster shifts elsewhere. That includes Duke’s Patrick Ngongba announcing his return to college basketball next season.
And that’s exactly what Michael Malone did.
Instead of staying domestic, Malone and the Tar Heels expanded their search overseas and made a statement doing it.
According to Inside Carolina’s Sherrel McMillan, UNC has landed one of the most intriguing international prospects in the world.
Sayon Keita.
A five-star international recruit with a reported 7-foot-7 wingspan (per 247Sports’ Adam Finkelstein), Keita is widely considered one of the top high school post prospects globally.
How UNC develops another big man, particularly one who can protect the rim, run the floor, and handle the physical demands of the ACC, will be a key storyline moving forward.
With its latest additions, North Carolina now has a clearer picture of its 2026-27 roster under Malone.
The transfer portal closed on April 21, meaning players can no longer enter. However, athletes already in the portal may still commit to new programs.
That leaves the Tar Heels’ staff continuing its search.
As it stands, Malone has passed his first major test, assembling one of the nation’s top transfer classes – but the rebuild in Chapel Hill is not complete.
