In just five short months, college basketball season begins. With a new head coach in Michael Malone and several newcomers, UNC is gearing up for what fans hope is a successful season.
North Carolina’s 2026-27 roster only features four returners: Jarin Stevenson, Isaiah Denis, Jaydon Young and Evan Smith. Stevenson likely slides into the starting lineup, Denis likely share minutes at point guard with Terrence Brown, Young will be a key reserve and Smith likely enters late in blowouts.
A large portion of the Tar Heels’ roster will come from the collegiate transfer portal and overseas. In ESPN’s latest transfer class rankings, UNC lands eighth overall.
“First-year head coach Michael Malone went overseas to secure frontcourt reinforcements, but procured his perimeter group in the portal, and clearly leaned into high-major experience — including with the ACC-proven Avdalas and Able,” Jeff Borzello writes. “Avdalas has shown flashes of first-round potential, while Able seems poised to land in mock drafts after withdrawing this season. Brown is a big-time scorer who has averaged right around 20 points per game at two different programs (FDU before Utah).”
“First-year head coach Michael Malone went overseas to secure frontcourt reinforcements, but procured his perimeter group in the portal, and clearly leaned into high-major experience — including with the ACC-proven Avdalas and Able,” Jeff Borzello writes. “Avdalas has shown flashes of first-round potential, while Able seems poised to land in mock drafts after withdrawing this season. Brown is a big-time scorer who has averaged right around 20 points per game at two different programs (FDU before Utah).”
Brown, who averaged 19.9 points per game at Utah last season, will be relied upon plenty for high scoring volume. Neoklis Avdalas, who averaged 12.1 points per game at Virginia Tech, provides immense versatility at 6’9″. Matt Able, who averaged 8.8 points per game at NC State, withdrew himself from the NBA Draft after a solid Combine performance.
Borzello’s description doesn’t mention Malian center Sayon Keita and Greek big man Alexandros Samodurov, who provide a scary 1-2 punch down low.
North Carolina has plenty of talent on paper, now the question is how they gel with each other. Who else is excited for college basketball season?
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