By R.L. Bynum
After an offseason in which six women’s players and one men’s player transferred from Carolina, 17 former Tar Heels are playing for other colleges — nine men’s players and eight women’s players.
After gauging his NBA stock at the G League Elite Camp, Caleb Love, last season’s Pac-12 Player of the Year, passed up a potential two-way NBA contract, opting to return to Arizona for his fifth college season and has a new look.
Gone are the long hair, the dreads and the headband, and he enters his fifth college season with a short, more clean-cut look in the Wildcats’ first season in the Big 12 Conference.
Check out the top photo and his headshot in the list below the story. It almost doesn’t look like Love.
Love led Arizona to a 27–9 record before his season, like UNC’s, ended at the West Regional Sweet 16 in Los Angeles.
Also back for the Wildcats are reserve point guard Jaden Bradley and wing K.J. Lewis. Lost to the NBA, though, were starting forwards Pelle Larsson and Keshad Johnson. Two starters — point guard Kylan Boswell (Illinois) and center Oumar Ballo (Indiana) — transferred. However, the Wildcats added Oakland transfer Trey Townsend, Tennessee transfer Tobe Awaka and McDonald’s All-American freshman Carter Bryant.
Former UNC guard Paulina Paris, wearing a number — 23 — unavailable at Carolina, joined Love in Arizona as the women’s basketball program plays its first Big 12 season. Under ninth-year coach Adia Barnes, the Wildcats went 18–16 last season and lost to Syracuse in the second round of the NCAA tournament. That was the program’s most losses since dropping 24 in 2017–18.
Via @dejakelly on Instagram
Another former Carolina player with a trajectory similar to Love’s who has gone west is Deja Kelly, who also arrived on the UNC campus for the pandemic season. She also battled through a tough freshman year and became one of the ACC’s best players during her UNC career, earning first-team All-ACC honors three times.
After graduating from UNC last spring, she is playing her fifth college season at Oregon, which begins play in the Big Ten.
Oregon coach Kelly Graves said Wednesday at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago that Kelly “legitimizes” his program after the Ducks went 11–21 last season. Graves noted that once Kelly entered the transfer portal, his staff “worked our butts off” to get her.
“We needed Deja,” said Graves, who led Oregon to the 2019 Final Four during Sabrina Ionescu’s junior season. “I think Deja needed us. She talked about that because she’s got an opportunity to play at the next level and be an impact player there. At the same time, we really needed a kind of a jolt, and Deja is one of the best players in the country.”
Senior James Okonkwo, a little-used reserve center for UNC last season, is the only men’s player who transferred. He’ll play his senior season at Akron, which went 24–11 last season, won the MAC Tournament and lost to Creighton in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Two former UNC men’s players transferred after one season at other schools. Notably, Dontrez Styles went to N.C. State after one season at Georgetown, and Tyler Nickel to Vanderbilt after one season at Virginia Tech.
“At the time, because I was at Carolina, I would’ve been like, ‘That’s crazy,’ ” Styles said of a one-time Tar Heel playing at N.C. State, as reported by The Fayetteville Observer. “But it’s not too bad. This was probably my second option out of high school. I’ve known [Coach Kevin] Keatts for a long time, so just being here now, it’s great. I’m enjoying the journey so far.”
Styles is one of eight newcomers who join returnees Michael O’Connell, Jayden Taylor and Ben Middlebrooks. The Wolfpack’s biggest losses from the team that won the ACC tournament and made the Final Four were DJ Horne, Casey Morsell and DJ Burns.
Nickel joins a Vandy program in transition after the school fired former UNC star Jerry Stackhouse (now an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors) following a 22–15 season and an NIT appearance. Former UNCW player Mark Byington, a former Virginia Tech assistant coach, takes over the program after going 82–36 over four seasons at James Madison.
Other men’s players returning to the same schools in addition to Love are senior guard D’Marco Dunn and fifth-year forward Puff Johnson at Penn State, senior center Dawson Garcia at Minnesota, redshirt sophomore Will Shaver at UAB and fifth-year guard Kerwin Walton at Texas Tech.
Dawson, the Gophers’ leading scorer last season with 17.6 points per game, made the 10-player All-Big Ten Preseason First Team.
Penn State (16–17, 9–11) and Minnesota (19–15, 9–11) tied for ninth in the Big Ten last season. UAB (23–12, 12–6) was fourth in the American.
Texas Tech is a program on the upswing (23–11, 11–7 last season) after finishing third in the Big 12. Other returnees are junior forward Darrion Williams, two other fifth-year players — guard Chance McMillian and forward Devan Cambridge — junior guard Jack Francis and sophomore forward Eemali Yalaho.
Walton may have a more significant role after All-Big 12 third-team guard Pop Isaacs transferred to Creighton. Walton, a freshman at UNC in the 2020–21 season, started the final 26 games last season, averaging 8.5 points per game.
Two other women’s transfers went to ACC schools: Anya Poole and RyLee Grays.
Poole, who graduated from UNC last spring, will play her fifth college season at Clemson after starting 74 games over four seasons as a Tar Heel. Carolina visits Clemson (12–19, 5–13 ACC last season) at 2 p.m. on Feb. 9 (ESPN3).
Grays, who only played five games for UNC and only once after Dec. 15, hopes for more playing time at Virginia. The Cavaliers (16–16, 7–11 last season) play at Carolina in the regular-season finale for both teams at 2 p.m. March 2 (The CW).
Teonni Key transferred out of the league but will still play at Carmichael Arena this season. The redshirt junior forward joined the Kentucky program under first-year former Virginia Tech coach Kenny Brooks. The Wildcats (12–20, 4–12 SEC last season) visit UNC in the ACC/SEC Women’s Challenge at 5 p.m. Dec. 4 (ESPN2).
Two former UNC women’s players return to the same programs — senior Destiny Adams at Rutgers (8–24, 2–16 Big Ten, last in the league last season) and fifth-year guard Kennedy Todd-Williams at Ole Miss. Neither plays Carolina this season, but Todd-Williams’ Rebels (24–9, 12–4 SEC last season) play at N.C. State in the ACC/SEC Women’s Challenge at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5.
Ole Miss, which lost at Notre Dame in the second round of the NCAA tournament, opens the season on Nov. 4 with a game in Paris against a deep and talented Southern Cal team.
Elliot Cadeau, Michigan guard
6–1, 180 pounds | Junior | UNC 2023–25 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting point guard ahead of sophomore L.J. Cason
Season statistics — 10 games, ,10 starts, 9.7 points, 45.4 FG%, 37.8 3P%, 58.8 FT%, 3.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.4 turnovers
Team record: 10–0, 2–0 Big Ten; Rank: No. 2
Monday: No. 2 Michigan 101, (at) Maryland 83 — Started; 34 minutes, 12 points, 5–9 FG, 2–3 3FG, 1 rebound, 10 assists, 1 foul, 3 turnovers, 1 steal, +15
Next game — 4 p.m. Sunday vs. La Salle, Peacock
Trayanna Crisp, Mississippi State guard
5–8 | Senior | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starter
Season statistics — 12 games, 12 starts, 8.1 points, 43.8 FG%, 43.5 3P%, 81.3 FT%, 2.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists
Team record: 11–1
Sunday: Mississippi State 87, Southern Miss 64 — Started; 33 minutes, 12 points, 5–10 FG, 2–5 3FG, 2–4 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 foul, 4 assists, 3 turnovers, 1 steal
Wednesday: Mississippi State 105, Alabama State 57 — Started; 22:43, 8 points, 3–6 FG, 2–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, team-high +47
Next game — noon Saturday at La Salle, ESPN+
RyLee Grays, Tulsa forward
6–4 | Junior | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Roster situation — One of four forwards competing for time
Season statistics — 11 games, 2.6 points, 50.0 FG%, 1–2 3FG, 69.6 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 steals
Team record: 7–4
Monday: Oklahoma State 90, Tulsa 58 — 18 minutes, career-high, team-high 14 points, 3–6 FG (FG total career-high), 1–2 3FG (first career 3-pointer), 7–8 FT (career-high for makes and attempts), 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 4 turnovers, 1 steal, -9
Thursday: Tulsa 67, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 43 — 14 minutes, 4 points, 1–1 FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 3 fouls, 2 assists, 1 block
Next game — 2:45 Sunday at Florida
Ian Jackson, St. John’s guard
6–5, 195 pounds | Sophomore | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — In rotation as reserve
Season statistics — 10 games, 3 starts, 11.5 points, 46.6 FG%, 34.1 3P%, 85.7 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Team record: 7–3, 1–0 Big East; Rank: No. 22
Tuesday: No. 22 St. John’s 79, DePaul 66 — Started; 14 minutes, 10 points, 4–7 FG, 2–3 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, 1 turnover, +2
Next game — 12:30 Saturday vs. Kentucky in CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta, CBS
Teonni Key, Kentucky forward
6–4 | RS senior | UNC 2022–24 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting forward
Season statistics — 12 games, 12 starts, 11.0 points, 55.9 FG%, 1–10 3FG, 71.1 FT%, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks
Team record: 12–1; Rank: No. 12
Friday: No. 12 Kentucky 96, Wright State 53 — Didn’t play to manage lingering injury after a fall
Next game — 2 p.m. Sunday vs. Hofstra
Ven-Allen Lubin, N.C. State forward
6–9, 250 pounds | Senior | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starter
Season statistics — 12 games, 12 starts, 13.0 points, 67.4 FG%, 3–6 3FG, 69.0 FT%, 7.2 rebounds
Team record: 8–4
Wednesday: N.C. State 108, Texas Southern 72 — Started; 16:30, 7 points, 3–4 FG, 1–3 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 fouls, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, +15
Next game — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Ole Miss in Greensboro, ESPN
Plays UNC —7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, ESPN or ESPN2
Tyler Nickel, Vanderbilt wing
6–7, 220 pounds | Senior | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting forward
Season statistics — 11 games, 11 starts, 14.4 points, 49.5 FG%, 44.0 3P%, 83.3 FT%, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Team record: 11–0: Rank: No. 13
Wednesday: No. 13 Vanderbilt 77, (at) Memphis 70, OT — Started; 36:46, 8 points, 3–11 FG, 2–10 3FG, 4 rebounds, 3 fouls, 3 turnovers, 2 steals, +12
Next game — 1 p.m. Sunday at Wake Forest, The CW
Paulina Paris, SMU guard
5–9 | Senior | UNC 2022–24 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting guard
Season statistics — 11 games, 5 starts, 9.2 points, 38.8 FG%, 21.1 3P%, 77.3 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record: 6–6, 0–1 ACC
Wednesday: SMU 57, Coppin State 49 — Started; 26 minutes, 11 points, 3–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 4–4 FT, 3 rebounds, 4 fouls, 2 assists, 3 turnovers
Friday: SMU 74, (at) Sam Houston 69 — Started; 39:20, 18 points, 7–17 FG, 2–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 8 rebounds, 3 fouls, 3 assists, 5 turnovers, 2 steals, +4
Next game — 5 p.m. Sunday vs. Southern, ACCN Extra
Plays UNC —7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at Carmichael Arena, ACCN
Will Shaver, Samford center
6–10, 265 pounds | RS junior | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Reserve minutes
Season statistics — 12 games, 2.0 points, 44.4 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 2–5 FT, 2.4 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 blocks, 2 steals
Team record: 7–6
Monday: Samford 106, Bryant 51 — 13 minutes, career-high 8 points, 3–6 FG (ties for most FGs in career), 2–4 3FG (first two 3-pointers of his career), 5 rebounds, 1 foul, 1 assist, 1 block
Friday: Samford 85, Reinhardt 49 — 21 minutes, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 0–1 3FG, 0–1 FT, 8 rebounds, 3 fouls, 3 assists, 3 turnovers
Next game — 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, at VMI
Cade Tyson, Minnesota wing
6–7, 180 pounds | Senior | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starter
Season statistics — 11 games, 11 starts, 22.6 points, 52.2 FG%, 40.7 3P%, 81.7 FT%, 5.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 6–5, 1–1 Big Ten
Wednesday: Minnesota 89, Texas Southern 53 —Started; 37 minutes, 38 points, 11–19 FG, 8–12 3FG, 8–11 FT, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul, 2 turnovers, 4 steals, +37
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Campbell, Big Ten Network
Jalen Washington, Vanderbilt center
6–9, 240 pounds | Senior | UNC 2022–25 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Competing for starting minutes at center
Season statistics — 11 games, 1 start, 9.5 points, 60.0 FG%, 26.7 3P%, 77.3 FT%, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks
Team record: 11–0: Rank: No. 13
Wednesday: No. 13 Vanderbilt 77, (at) Memphis 70, OT — Didn’t start; 25:30, 14 points, 2–4 FG, 10–14 FT, 6 rebounds, 3 fouls, drew 10 fouls, 1 turnover, 2 steals, +12
Next game — 1 p.m. Sunday at Wake Forest, The CW
Top photo via @ArizonaMBB
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