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Able has big game in NBA Draft Combine scrimmage
Matt Able looked comfortable and confident during an NBA Draft Combine scrimmage in Chicago on Wednesday. The former N.C. State guard, who has committed to play next season at Carolina, scored 15 points and hit 3 of 5 3-point attempts as his Carpenter team pulled away for a 95–83 victory over the Adams team.
Former LSU commitment, four-star wing Thomas, commits to UNC
Former LSU commitment Kevin Thomas, a four-star wing, has committed to North Carolina. The 6–7 Thomas, who visited Chapel Hill on Tuesday, was the high school teammate during the 2024–25 season at Sagemont Prep in Weston, Fla., with UNC transfer commitment Matt Able. They won the Florida Class 1A state title that season.
Who is Bryan Tibaldi, the latest addition to Michael Malone’s UNC coaching staff?
North Carolina is adding Bryan Tibaldi as an assistant coach on Michael Malone’s first Tar Heels staff, bringing to Chapel Hill a longtime video and player-development specialist whose résumé spans the NBA, the G League and multiple Division I programs.
Heels swat season-high four homers to win slugfest at UNCW
The home run derby was a draw, but No. 2 North Carolina prevailed in the game. UNC hit a season-high four home runs to knock off the Seahawks 13–7 on Tuesday at Brooks Field in Wilmington despite four UNCW home runs, the most by a Tar Heels opponent this season.
Wilson embraces Combine stage, the work that’s ahead, says season-ending injury was ‘rough’
Caleb Wilson said going through the injuries that ended his Carolina career early were rough, but added on Tuesday at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago that he’s learned from it.
UNC shows off deep pitching again in sweeping Pitt
CHAPEL HILL — In finishing off a three-game sweep of Pittsburgh, No. 2 North Carolina followed a familiar pattern, getting strong performances from multiple pitchers and more than enough offense. Folger Boaz and Caden Glauber were impressive, Walker McDuffie got a clutch bases-loaded strikeout in the eighth inning, and Jackson Rose finished it off.
Nicholson’s glove, bat accelerate UNC’s 11th run-rule win of the season
CHAPEL HILL — Cooper Nicholson’s glove and bat in the sixth inning steadied the game for No. 2 Carolina when the game could have swung Pittsburgh’s way. A terrific defensive play and a two-run home run by the junior third baseman in the sixth inning accelerated the Tar Heels’ 12–2 eight-inning victory Saturday at Boshamer Stadium, their 11th run-rule win of the season, to secure their sixth consecutive ACC series victory.
Dominant pitching and power give No. 2 UNC impressive win coming off exam break
CHAPEL HILL — No. 2 Carolina rode pitching and power to come off the exam break impressively. Other than rustiness from ace reliever Walker McDuffie, the Tar Heels were dominant on the mound, as three solo home runs were more than enough to support impressive outings from right-handers Jason DeCaro and Caden Glauber.
Dream realized: Former UNC guard Nivar earns spot on Atlanta opening-night roster
Former North Carolina guard Indya Nivar’s WNBA dream has been realized, as she secured a spot on the Atlanta Dream’s opening‑night roster, which the team announced Thursday afternoon.
Samodurov, a Greek center target, former teammate of UNC commitment Avdalas
North Carolina’s push to reinforce its frontcourt includes yet another European center who has a connection to one of the Tar Heels’ newcomers.
Alexandros Samodurov (pronounced “sa-muh-DJOOR-ahv”) is a 6–11, 212-pound Greek center who has already played in the EuroLeague. Multiple reports in the past week link UNC to Samodurov as he evaluates his college options while also going through the NBA draft process.
UNC among schools targeting elite shot-blocking former FAU center Williams
North Carolina’s search for more frontcourt help has mostly focused on overseas talent, but the Tar Heels are one of a few programs targeting an elite shot-blocker in the transfer portal. Former Florida Atlantic center Devin Williams is 6–10, 210 pounds, and averaged 2.6 blocks per game last season as a redshirt sophomore. He visited Arizona this week and, in addition to UNC, has heard from Virginia Tech and Oklahoma.
Latest target for UNC is Luigi Suigo, a young 7–3 Italian center
North Carolina’s search for a center continues to include players overseas, and the latest target is a 19-year-old Italian center. Luigi Suigo, a 7–3, 241-pound big man from Milan who played this season for Mega Basket in Serbia, entered the NBA Draft and was invited to the NBA Draft Combine, which starts Sunday in Chicago.
UNC pounds Duke again in second-straight run-rule win
CHAPEL HILL — Duke was like a boxer who got KO’d eight days earlier coming back for more. No. 2 North Carolina again had a withering offensive punch, with former Blue Devils star Macon Winslow delivering the biggest blows with a career-high five RBI to back shutdown pitching.
Busch, Gallen among 34 Tar Heels in pro baseball, several off to good starts
Michael Busch’s season has started to turn in the direction the Chicago Cubs expected, and Friday offered a clear snapshot of why. Busch, Arizona pitcher Zac Gallen and Seattle reliever Cooper Criswell are in the major leagues. There are 24 other Tar Heels in the minor leagues, along with seven others in non-affiliated leagues.
Able invited to NBA Draft Combine, along with Wilson, Veesaar and Nickel
North Carolina had three former players and one player it hopes will play for the Tar Heels next season among the 74 invited on Friday to the NBA Draft Combine.
