The North Carolina Tar Heels announced former NBA head coach Michael Malone as the new head coach in Chapel Hill. This hire marked a clear change in focus.
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Malone becomes the first UNC head basketball coach not to have direct ties to Chapel Hill since Frank McGuire in 1952. Dean Smith took over after a stint as a UNC assistant.
According to On3, North Carolina has seven players in the transfer portal or expected to enter the transfer portal. Guard Kyan Evans is officially in the portal currently. Zayden High, James Brown, Jonathan Powell, Derek Dixon, Jaydon Young and Isaiah Denis are expected to enter the portal but have not yet done so.
North Carolina Tar Heels Basketball Transfer Portal Live Updates
North Carolina Transfers
| State |
Name |
Pos. |
Classification |
latest team |
New team |
|
|
Expected |
Zayden Institute |
FP |
94.49 |
UNC |
||
|
Expected |
Derek Dixon |
GRAM |
93.69 |
UNC |
||
|
Expected |
Isaiah Denis |
GRAM |
93.34 |
UNC |
||
|
Expected |
James Brown |
FP |
93.09 |
UNC |
||
|
Expected |
jonathan powell |
S.G. |
90.00 |
UNC |
||
|
Expected |
Young Jaydon |
GRAM |
85.50 |
UNC |
Retired |
|
|
came in |
Kyan Evans |
P.G. |
No rating |
UNC |
North Carolina transfer news:
April 10
Michael Malone and his staff have held a player in the portal. According to On3, Jaydon Young will withdraw his name from the transfer portal and remain in North Carolina.
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April 7
-
Kyan Evans has entered the transfer portal
-
Zayden High plans to enter the transfer portal
-
James Brown plans to enter the transfer portal
April 6
-
Jonathan Powell plans to enter the transfer portal
-
Derek Dixon plans to enter the transfer portal
-
Jaydon Young plans to enter the transfer portal
April 5
-
Isaiah Denis plans to enter the transfer portal
UNC Transfer Portal Rumors:
April 11
Utah transfer guard Terrence Brown will visit the UNC campus on Monday, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports via On3. Brown is the 40th player in the NCAA transfer portal.
April 11
Notre Dame transfer Jalen Haralson has North Carolina among the top 3 teams, according to On3.
April 10
Monmouth transfer Jason Rivera-Torres is receiving interest from the following programs, he told LeagueRDY. He’s considering 21 programs, but North Carolina is at the top of that list.
April 10
Jon Rothstein reported that Virginia Tech transfer Neoklis Avdalas is drawing interest from eight teams. North Carolina, Kentucky, Texas, Florida State, Michigan, Arkansas, St. Johns and Oklahoma State. Avdalas also does not plan to visit any of these schools.
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April 10
Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 named six programs that VCU guard Terrance Brown is considering. North Carolina, Kentucky, USC, Kansas, Oregon and Ole Miss.
April 10
North Carolina is among a handful of teams showing interest in Santa Clara guard Christian Hammond, according to Tar Heels Live. Last season he averaged 15.6 points per game.
April 10
In the days since Malone was hired, there has been a “surge” of financial support for the program. According to Sherrell McMillan of Inside Carolina, “many of the donors are non-traditional, we are told, as they have not contributed or rarely contributed to men’s basketball.”
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April 10
UNC recruit Dylan Mingo will make his second visit to Chapel Hill this afternoon, according to Sherrell McMillan of Inside Carolina. This comes at an interesting time when decisions for next year will be made through the transfer portal. Plus, share face time with Michael Malone and his staff. A lesser-known NCAA rule allows a second visit for newly hired head coaches.
April 10
UNC is starting to have access to more resources since hiring Michael Malone, according to Inside Carolina’s Sherrell McMillan. This is a huge advantage for transfer portal battles and recruiting.
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“In the five days since Malone was announced as Carolina’s head coach, there has been a groundswell of financial support for the program, sources told Inside Carolina. There is clearly excitement surrounding Malone’s hiring as many of the donors are non-traditional, we are told, having not contributed or rarely contributed to men’s basketball.”
April 10
Michael Malone and his UNC staff have reached out to five key players, according to SI. Aiden Sherrell of Alabama, Terrence Brown of Utah, Christian Hammond of Santa Clara, Thomas Dowd of Troy and Karter Knox of Arkansas.
April 10
UNC assistant head coach Chuck Martin has reached out to Alabama transfer Aiden Sherrell, according to Sherrell McMillan of Inside Carolina. “When a brand like UNC calls you, you can’t help but listen,” said Austin Sherrell (Aiden’s brother). “Aiden was one of the first people they called, and that shows us that he’s a priority. It shows that Aiden has to take this situation seriously because of a guy like Malone.”
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FURTHER:UNC and Duke battle for star SEC transfer in Michael Malone’s first week
April 10
Miikka Muurinen and his commitment plans could change the transfer portal plans for Michael Malone and UNC. The 6-foot-10, 185-pound five-star forward with the nickname “Slim Jesus” from Finland plays at AZ Compass Prep. The Tar Heels compete with Duke, Michigan, Kentucky, Arkansas and others.
April 9
Michael Malone will be left with three important assistants, according to TarHeel247. “Sean May, Pat Sullivan and Eric Hoots, each of whom were on staff during all five seasons of the Hubert Davis regime, will be hired by Malone, multiple sources have confirmed.” All three should boost recruiting efforts.
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April 9
Penn State guard Kayden Mingo has entered the transfer portal. Kayden Mingo is the current brother of Dylan Mingo. The two had previously talked about playing together in college. Dylan was a candidate to change his commitment after the dismissal of Hubert Davis. If Malone can secure Kayden Mingo, a Dylan trade would seem much less likely.
April 8
Isaiah Denis has entered the UNC transfer portal but could be getting his name out there. “Denis is scheduled to meet with new UNC coach Michael Malone,” according to On3
Utah guard Terrence Brown Jr (Utah) confirmed he has heard from 17 programs and North Carolina is one of them, according to Tar Heels Wire. UNC could potentially be a top three option for Brown.
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According to Bleacher Report, the decision to hire Michael Malone instead of Billy Donovan was influenced in part by recruiting capacity and timing. The hesitation with Donovan centered on his desire to finish the year with the Chicago Bulls, which would have dramatically impacted the Tar Heels’ ability to secure transfer players. It would also have impacted non-transfer recruiting.
April 7
Wake Forest guard Juke Harris is currently the No. 1-ranked player on the On3 transfer portal.
“The 6-foot-7 sophomore averaged 21.4 points per game this season. NC State will be scouting the North Carolina native, who is expected to go through the NBA Draft process. New Wolfpack head coach Justin Gainey recruited Harris while he was at Tennessee and built a strong relationship with him. Another school that I think could be a contender if they make an effort is North Carolina. Harris will be one of the most sought-after players in the portal.”
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Utah guard Terrence Brown Jr (Utah) confirmed he has heard from 17 programs and North Carolina is one of them, according to Tar Heels Wire. UNC could potentially be a top three option for Brown.
The spring basketball transfer portal window opened on April 7 and will remain open until April 21.