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‘Future of French basketball,’ Dessert could be one UNC answer at center
North Carolina’s frontcourt makeover has leaned hard into height and upside, but lacks a big, physical and experienced center who can mix it up inside with the best big men in the country. One answer could be 6–11, 247-pound Brice Dessert (pronounced “Breess deh-ZAHR”), a 23-year-old French center who has been mentioned as a possible target for the Tar Heels.
French center Maxim Logue reportedly isn’t expected to transfer to UNC
Nine days after Florida Atlantic big man Maxim Logue committed to North Carolina, there were issues related to his admission, and isn’t expected to transfer, according to multiple reports, first by Inside Carolina.
Senegalese shot-blocker Faye would bring older player to UNC’s frontcourt mix
North Carolina’s search for more frontcourt talent could include shot-blocking phenom Mouhamed “Momo” Faye. At 6–10 and 223 pounds, the Senegalese center plays for the Paris Basketball team in France’s LNB Élite and the EuroLeague, and is one reported target for Coach Michael Malone. Faye just turned 21 in February, making him older than UNC frontcourt newcomers Maximo Adams (18), Sayon Keita (18), Cade Bennerman (19) and Maxim Logue (20).
Boumtje-Boumtje was another center target for UNC, but has committed to Duke
Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje has grown up around basketball long enough to understand the weight of expectations, even before his game began drawing the interest of college programs, including Carolina and Duke. His distinctive last name should be familiar. His dad is Reuben Boumtje-Boumtje (pronounced “BOOM-shay-BOOM-shay”), the former Georgetown center from Cameroon who later played in the NBA and across several European leagues.
No. 9 Coastal humbles UNC as top-10 clash turns into blowout
CHAPEL HILL — On the first day of final exams, No. 2 North Carolina had a rough night in a big test against a veteran opponent. No. 9 Coastal Carolina, the reigning national runner-up, handed the Tar Heels a 12–2 loss Tuesday at Boshamer Stadium, capitalizing on timely offense and sustained pressure against a pitching staff that struggled to stem the momentum.
Mali center Keita commits to UNC
Sayon Keita, a 7–0, 215-pound center from Mali committed to North Carolina on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
The pledge by the center, who has been part of the FC Barcelona system since 2023 comes one day after the Tar Heels got a commitment from former Northwestern center Cade Bennerman.
7–0 former Northwestern center Bennerman, with a 7–5 wingspan, commits to UNC
Former Northwestern center Cade Bennerman has committed to North Carolina. The 7–0, 205-pound center, who has a 7–5 wingspan, will be more of a developmental addition after redshirting during his first season at Northwestern.
UNC stays at No. 2 ahead of Tuesday clash with No. 9 Coastal Carolina
North Carolina remained No. 2 and Coastal Carolina No. 9 in the latest D1 Baseball poll heading into their showdown at Boshamer Stadium. The two perennial powers meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday (ACC Network) in the Tar Heels’ fourth game against a top-10 team in two weeks.
UNC’s history of losing one-season players with eligibility left is short, but it began 54 years ago
The departures of Henri Veesaar and Caleb Wilson mark only the second time in UNC program history that two players with remaining eligibility have left for the NBA after only one season in Chapel Hill. Although there haven’t been nearly as many UNC players who turned pro after only one season as there have been at Duke, the first such Tar Heel did so 54 years ago.
UNC’s offense comes alive in run-rule rout at Duke to clinch series
DURHAM — The Carolina bats that were so quiet in the first two games at Duke turned thunderous in Saturday’s series finale. After going 27 innings without a home run, center fielder Owen Hull belted a three-run shot in No. 2 UNC’s seven-run fourth inning, and the Tar Heels rolled to a 22–5 run-rule victory at Jack Coombs Field.
Poor at-bats, big defensive mistake cost UNC despite Lynch’s outstanding pitching
DURHAM — Carolina got another outstanding pitching performance, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a big early mistake and consistently failing to get a big hit. Duke snapped its six-game losing streak by turning three double plays and forcing the Tar Heels to strand 11 runners on base in a 3–1 victory Friday at Jack Coombs Field to even the series.
Veesaar declares for the NBA draft, intends to stay in draft
Henri Veesaar will enter the 2026 NBA draft, a move that formalizes the next step for one of college basketball’s most efficient big men and forces Carolina into a fast recalibration under Coach Michael Malone. Matt Norlander of CBS reported that, according to a source, Veesaar intends to stay in the draft.
DeCaro masterfully wins pitchers’ duel to beat Duke
DURHAM — In a night full of outstanding pitching, Carolina junior Jason DeCaro was the best. DeCaro was masterful in winning a duel with Duke starter Aidan Weaver as the No. 2 Tar Heels got just enough offense to earn a 3–1 victory Thursday night at Jack Coombs Field.
Wilson, Veesaar have risen in some NBA mock drafts
Two months away from the NBA draft, Caleb Wilson is projected as high as No. 2 on mock drafts, while Henri Veesaar is a consensus second-round pick who three project to go in the first round.
Former UNC guard Astakhova commits to BYU
Former UNC guard Liza Astakhova has committed to continue her college career at Brigham Young. The Russian guard, who played sparingly at Carolina last season as a freshman, made the announcement Thursday in an Instagram post.