By R.L. Bynum
Five former Tar Heels started in their debuts for new college programs on Monday, highlighted by a career-best game for Kentucky redshirt junior forward Teonni Key, while Oregon graduate guard Deja Kelly pulled off a unique doubleheader and Caleb Love had a big game in his final college season.
Seventeen of the 19 former UNC players at other schools played their openers on Monday.
Key had an impressive debut in the Wildcats’ 98–43 home win over USC Upstate with career-best totals of 14 points and five assists to go with nine rebounds, three blocks and a steal. That was the first game as head coach at Kentucky for former Virginia Tech coach Kenny Brooks.
Other former Tar Heels starting in their debuts with new schools were Vanderbilt wing Tyler Nickel, Akron forward James Okonkwo, Arizona guard Paulina Paris, N.C. State wing Dontrez Styles and UNCW forward Ali Zelaya.
In her first game at Oregon, Kelly started and nearly had a double-double in the first end of a versatile doubleheader to begin her fifth college season. After collecting 10 points and eight assists in the Ducks’ 93–63 home win over California Baptist, Kelly — who was 3 of 10 from the floor and 1 of 3 from 3-point range — was a sideline reporter for the Big Ten Network during its broadcast of the 91–76 Oregon men’s victory over UC Riverside.
Love only played 21 minutes in No. 10 Arizona’s 93–64 win but had 17 points, three 3-pointers and six assists and was +29 for the game.
Earlier in the day, in Arizona’s 73–54 women’s victory over UT Arlington, Paris played 23 minutes in her Wildcats debut, collecting nine points, a rebound and a block. She was 3 of 9 from the floor and missed all three 3-point attempts.
Nickel scored 14 points and three 3-pointers in Vanderbilt’s 102–63 blowout of Maryland Eastern Shore.
In N.C. State’s 97–66 home win over USC Upstate, Styles played nine minutes, collecting nine points, two rebounds and two blocks.
Ahead of her homecoming game at No. 15 UNC at 7 p.m. Thursday (ESPN3), Zelaya debuted for UNCW in a 99–57 loss at Virginia Tech. In 26 minutes, she collected nine points, four assists, one rebound and one block.
Okonkwo’s Akron team lost 80–75 in overtime at Arkansas State. In 22 minutes, he had five points, 12 rebounds and three steals.
Kennedy Todd-Williams’ No. 20 Ole Miss team gave No. 3 USC a good game in Paris before losing 68–66. Todd-Williams finished with eight points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals but battled foul trouble with four fouls.
Todd-Williams, who had a rough shooting game, going 2 of 18 and missing all five 3-point attempts, had the ball on the perimeter on the Rebels’ final play but had the ball stripped from her.
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Destiny Adams had 14 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in Rutgers’ 85–70 home win Monday over Manhattan.
Fifth-year forward Anya Poole didn’t start in her Clemson debut, a 78–44 home victory over Jackson State. In 13 minutes, she had six points, four rebounds, two blocks and an assist and was +10.
D’Marco Dunn came off the bench to score 12 points and two 3-pointers in 16 minutes, with three steals and two rebounds in Penn State’s 108–66 win over Binghamton. Puff Johnson started and had five points, four rebounds and two blocks in 23 minutes.
Rylee Grays came off the bench in Virginia’s 104–68 home victory over American. In 18 scoreless minutes, she missed both shots and had three rebounds.
Redshirt sophomore Will Shaver didn’t play for UAB in the Blazers’ 67–62 win over Vermont.
Kerwin Walton starts his fifth college season Tuesday at 8 p.m. (ESPN+) when Texas Tech hosts Bethune-Cookman.
Dawson Garcia’s senior season begins Wednesday at 8 p.m. as Minnesota is at home against Oral Roberts.
Men’s players
Luka Bogavac, Oklahoma State guard
6–6, 215 pounds | Senior | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 33 games, 21 starts, 24.3 minutes, 9.8 points, 40.2 FG%, 34.9 3P%, 73.6 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.4 of a steal
Record — 2–1
Season statistics — 3 games, 0 starts, 8.3 points, 9–21 FG, 5–14 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Thursday: —Texas A&M 88, Oklahoma State 69 (road) | didn’t start: 9 minutes, 3 points, 1–5 FG, 1–4 3FG, 0 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls
Monday — 8 p.m. vs. Central Arkansas, ESPN+
James Brown, Howard center
6–10, 240 pounds | Junior | UNC 2024–26 (2 seasons)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 9 games, 50 minutes, 11 points, 75.0 FG%, 38.5 FT%, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers
Record — 2–2
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts, 8.5 points, 50.0 FG% (15–30), 0–2 3P, 40.0 FT% (4–10), 6.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 7 blocks, 5 steals
Thursday — Howard 75, Stetson 62 (home) | started: 31 minutes, 7 points, 3–7 FG, 1–2 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 fouls
Saturday — 7 p.m. at Davidson, ESPN+
Elliot Cadeau, Michigan guard
6–1, 180 pounds | Senior | UNC 2023–25 (2 seasons)
Statistics last season — 40 games, 40 starts, 10.5 points, 41.1 FG%, 37.6 3P%, 70.9 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.4 turnovers
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 10.7 points, 10–26 FG, 3–13 3FG, 9–14 FT, 3.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 4.7 turnovers, 1.7 steals
Record — 2–1
Wednesday — No. 20 Michigan 84, Marquette 70 (home) | started (double-double): 35 minutes, 17 points, 6–10 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3–5 FT, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 fouls, 4 turnovers, 1 steal, 1 block, +22, 18.4 game score
Sunday — 2 p.m. vs. William & Mary, B1G+
Derek Dixon, Arizona guard
6–5, 205 pounds | Sophomore | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 33 games, 16 starts, 22.3 minutes, 6.5 points, 36.4 FG%, 39.7 3P%, 81.8 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.4 of a steal
Record — 2–1
Season statistics — 3 games, [confirm starts], 13.0 points, 41.2 FG%, 31.8 3P%, 4–4 FT, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 6 turnovers, 3 steals
Tuesday — No. 12 Arizona 90, Northern Arizona 59 (home) | started: 27 minutes, 12 points, 5–9 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 0 turnovers, +19, season-high 9.4 game score
Friday — 9 p.m. at Auburn, ESPN2
Kyan Evans, Minnesota guard
6–2, 175 pounds | Senior | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 33 games, 17 starts, 17.6 minutes, 4.0 points, 32.8 FG%, 30.5 3P%, 69.2 FT%, 1.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.5 of a steal, 1.1 turnovers
Record — 4–0
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts, 12.0 points, 18–43 FG, 6–19 3FG, 6–10 FT, 6.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 3.0 turnovers, 1.5 steals
Thursday — Minnesota 91, Southern 61 (home) | started: 31 minutes, 10 points, 3–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 3–5 FT, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 steals, 4 fouls
Monday — 8 p.m. vs. Western Illinois, Big Ten Network
Zayden High, South Florida forward
6–10, 230 pounds | Junior | UNC 2023–26 (2 seasons)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 23 games, 103 minutes, 18 points, 31.6 FG%, 0–8 3FG, 54.5 FT%, 26 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals, 3 blocks
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 14.7 points, 64.3 FG%, 2–5 3FG, 6–8 FT, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Record — 1–2
Wednesday — Saint Joseph’s 83, South Florida 80 (in Annapolis, Md.) | started: 25 minutes, 13 points, 5–8 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3–3 FT, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 turnovers, 1 steal, 1 block, 4 fouls, 8.8 game score
Saturday — 2 p.m. vs. Coppin State, ESPN+
Ian Jackson, St. John’s guard
6–5, 200 pounds | Junior | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Statistics last season — 36 games, 19 starts, 9.4 points, 40.9 FG%, 34.3 3P%, 90.0 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 16.3 points, 55.9 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 2–2 FT, 2.7 rebounds
Record — 3–0
Wednesday — St. John’s 90, Colgate 59 (at Carnesecca Arena) | started: 20 minutes, 17 points, 6–10 FG, 3–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, +13, season-high15.4 game score
Sunday — 7 p.m. vs. Syracuse at Madison Square Garden, Peacock
Ven-Allen Lubin, N.C. State forward
6–9, 235 pounds | Graduate | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Statistics last season — 34 games, 34 starts, 13.6 points, ACC-leading 66.8 FG%, 27.3 3P%, 73.3 FT%, 7.1 rebounds
Record — 3–0
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 15.3 points, 69.0 FG%, 4–5 3FG, 2–4 FT, 8.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 3.7 turnovers, 2 double-doubles
Tuesday — N.C. State 94, Presbyterian 60 (home) | 25 minutes (double-double): 21 points, 10–17 FG, 1–2 FT, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 4 turnovers, 2 blocks, 14.2 game score
Friday — 7 p.m. vs. Troy, ACC Network
Plays UNC — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, in Tobacco Road Classic in Greensboro, ESPN2
Ivan Matlekovic, Pacific center
7–0, 220 pounds | Junior | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 4 games, 7 minutes, 2 points, 1–1 FG
Record — 2–1 (hasn’t played)
Wednesday — Long Beach State 62, Pacific 59 (road) | didn’t play
Saturday — 4 p.m. vs. Air Force, ESPN+
Jonathan Powell, Pittsburgh wing
6–6, 191 pounds | Junior | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 33 games, 16.4 minutes, 4.8 points, 38.1 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 48.3 FT%, 2.4 rebounds, 0.7 of an assist, 0.5 of a steal
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 12.2 points, 39.4 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 1–5 FT, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assist, 1.7 turnovers, 2.0 assists
Record — 3–0
Sunday — Pittsburgh 82, Penn State 76 (at The Palestra in Philadelphia) | started: 40 minutes, 13 points, 5–15 FG, 2–7 3FG, 1–3 FT, 1 rebound, 2 assist, 1 turnover, 5 steals
Friday — 6:30 at Butler, Peacock
Plays UNC — 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, in Pittsburgh, ESPN or ESPN2
Will Shaver, Samford center
6–10, 265 pounds | RS senior | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Statistics last season — 30 games, 2.6 points, 47.6 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 59.3 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 17 blocks, 7 steals
Record — 1–1
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 15.5 points, 65 FG%, 3–5 3FG, 2–4 FT, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.5 blocks
Saturday — UNLV 88, Samford 79 (road) | started: 25:35, 14 points, 6–10 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–4 FT, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 3 fouls, -8
Friday — 8 p.m. vs. Wright State, ESPN+
Seth Trimble, Louisville guard
6–3, 200 pounds | Fifth-year | UNC 2022–26 (4 seasons)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 24 games, 14.0 points, 47.1 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.4 turnovers
Record — 2–0
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 12.0 points, 45.0 FG%, 22.2 3P%, 44.4 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 turnovers, 1.5 steals
Last Saturday — No. 11 Louisville 107, Morehead State 57 (home) | started: 24 minutes, 11 points, 5–9 FG, 1–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 foul, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 steals
This Sunday — 1 p.m. at Memphis, ESPN
Plays UNC — 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, at Louisville, ESPNU; 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, at UNC, ESPN
In eligibility limbo
Minnesota forward Cade Tyson
Tennessee center Jalen Washington
Women’s players
Elina Aarnisalo, UCLA guard
5–10 | Junior | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 36 games, 26 starts, 26.8 minutes, 10.2 points, 47.3 FG%, 40.4 3P%, 76.1 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.2 turnovers
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 11.5 points, 42.8 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 2–2 FT, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.0 turnovers
Record — 3–0
Is missing two UCLA games to play for Finland’s senior national team at the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Qualifiers:
Thursday with Finland — Finland 76, Lithuania 74 (road) | didn’t start: 16:13, 5 points, 1–4 FG, 1–2 3FG, 2–4 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2 fouls
Sunday with Finland — 9 a.m. ET at Lithuania
Missed Thursday UCLA game — No. 11 UCLA 76, Arizona 44 (home)
Will miss Sunday UCLA game — 6 p.m. vs. Princeton, FIBA YouTube channel
Liza Astakhova, BYU wing
6–2 | Sophomore | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 12 games, 57 minutes, 25 points, 34.5 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 3–4 FT, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 turnovers
Season statistics — 1 game, 2 points, 1–5 FG, 0–2 3FG, 5 rebounds
Record — 4–0
Wednesday — BYU 82, Bethune-Cookman 56 (home) | didn’t play
Saturday — 9 p.m. vs. New Mexico
Lanie Grant, TCU guard
5–9 | Junior | UNC 2024–26 (2 seasons)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 34 games, 29 starts, 29.1 minutes, 10.8 points, 44.0 FG%, 41.9 3P%, 81.4 FT%, 1.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 of a steal, 1.8 turnovers
Record — 5–0
Season statistics — 5 games, 5 starts, 11.6 points, 5–6 FT, 0.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists. FG% and 3P% need her shot totals through four games, which the sheet didn’t give, so I left them off.
Thursday — No. 15 TCU 106, Southeastern Louisiana 47 (home) | started: 23 minutes, 14 points, 5–9 FG, 4–8 3FG, 0 FT, 0 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 turnover, 2 steals, 3 fouls
Sunday — 3 p.m. vs. Abilene Christian, ESPN+
RyLee Grays, Tulsa forward
6–4 | Senior | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Statistics last season— 30 games, 2.3 points, 43.6 FG%, 4–10 3FG, 69.7 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 8 blocks, 12 steals
Record: 2–1
Season statistics — 1 game, 4 points, 1–2 FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, 1 assist, 2 turnovers
Thursday — Tulsa 64, No. 22 Oklahoma State 62 (home) | didn’t play
Sunday — 4:30 p.m. vs. Texas Southern, ESPN+
Taliyah Henderson, Clemson guard
6–1 | Sophomore | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 33 games, 0 starts, 344 minutes, 122 points, 56.8 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 48.3 FT%, 66 rebounds, 9 assists, 21 steals, 1 block
Record — 3–1
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts, 9.0 points, 12–32 FG (37.5%), 8–10 FT, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.0 turnovers, 1.8 steals. 3P is left off because the sheet only had the percentage (33.3).
Thursday — No. 1 South Carolina 65, Clemson 44 (home) | started: 19:51, 2 points, 1–5 FG, 0–2 3FG, 0 FT, 3 rebounds, 0 assists, 4 turnovers, 1 steal, 3 fouls
Sunday — 5 p.m. vs. Stetson, ACC Network
Plays UNC — 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, at Clemson, The CW
Head coaches with UNC connections
Jerod Haase, UNCG
UNC assistant coach under Roy Williams (2003–12)
Career head coaching record — 206–180 | first season at UNCG | previous stops at Stanford (126–127) and UAB (80–53) | C-USA regular-season champion 2016, C-USA tournament champion 2015 | C-USA Coach of Year 2016
UNC connections on his staff — Assistant Coach David Noel III and Graduate Assistant Manager Kenny Williams
Season record — 2–2
Wednesday — UNCG 91, Lees-McRae 84 (home) | Dionte Neal 26 points, 8 assists
Saturday — 11 a.m. at Cornell
Wes Miller, Charlotte
Played at UNC (2004–07)
Career head coaching record — 287–210 | first season at Charlotte| previous stops at Cincinnati (100–74) and UNCG (185–134) | SoCon tournament titles 2018, 2021, SoCon regular-season titles 2017, 2018, 2021 | SoCon Coach of Year 2012, 2018
UNC connection on his staff — Assistant Coach Marcus Paige
Season record — 2–1
Monday — Seton Hall 68, Charlotte 62 (in Philadelphia) | Keyshuan Tillery 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Friday — 7 p.m. vs. Appalachian State, ESPN+
Carrie Moore, Harvard
UNC assistant under Courtney Banghart (2019–21)
Career head coaching record — 83–42, all at Harvard | fifth season | Ivy League tournament champions 2025
Season record — 3–1
Wednesday — Harvard 87, UMass 65 (home) | Abigail Wright 22 points, 5 rebounds
Sunday — 2 p.m. vs. Michigan State
King Rice, Monmouth
Played at UNC (1987–91)
Career head coaching record — 240–245 | in 16th season, all at Monmouth | MAAC regular-season champion 2016, 2017, 2021
UNC connections on his staff — Assistant Coach Brian Reese and Assistant Coach for Player Development Shammond Williams
Season record — 1–2
Thursday — Rhode Island 84, Monmouth 66 (in Uncasville, Conn.) | Keyshuan Tillery 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Tuesday— 7 p.m. at Wake Forest, ACC Network Extra
Plays at UNC— 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, ACC Network Extra
Charlotte Smith, Elon
Played at UNC (1991–95);
assistant on Sylvia Hatchell’s staff (2002–11)
Career head coaching record — 238–217 | in 16th season, all at Elon | CAA Coach of Year 2017
Season record — 1–2
Wednesday — ETSU 65, Elon 60, OT (home) | LaNae Corbett 18 points, 5 rebounds
Sunday — 3 p.m. at Wake Forest, ACC Network Extra
Plays at UNC— 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, ACC Network
Photo via @KentuckyWBB
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