By R.L. Bynum
North Carolina’s women’s basketball team will reportedly play two mid-November games in Las Vegas.
According to report from Mitchell Northam on SB Nation, based on multiple sources, the Tar Heels will play two games at the event, likely on Thursday, Nov. 13, and Sunday, Nov. 16, at the Michelob Ultra Arena, the home of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces.
On one day, UNC will face UCLA, and Fairfield will play South Florida. On the other day, Carolina would play Fairfield, and UCLA would take on South Florida.
The Bruins, led by Coach Cori Close, won the Big Ten title, went 34–3 and advanced to the Final Four for the first time in school history. Fairfield went 28–5 last season, won the Metro Atlantic and made the NCAA tournament. UCLA ascended to No. 1 in the AP poll and was No. 3 in the final poll.
One of UNC’s incoming transfers, Elina Aarnisalo, played at UCLA last season.
The Tar Heels return starters Reniya Kelly and Indya Nivar from last season’s team that went 29–8 and made the Sweet 16, and welcome two transfers — Aarnisalo and Nyla Harris from Louisville — and three freshmen — five-star wings Nyla Brooks and Taliyah Henderson and four-star guard Taissa Queiroz.
Projected UNC roster next season
(Next season’s class listed)
| Year | No. | Players | Pos. | Height | |
| Freshman | — | Nyla Brooks | W | 6–2 | |
| Freshman | — | Taliyah Henderson | W | 6–1 | |
| Freshman | — | Taissa Queiroz | G | 6–1 | |
| Sophomore | 7 | Elina Aarnisalo | G | 5–10 | |
| Sophomore | 0 | Lanie Grant | PG | 5–10 | |
| Sophomore | 34 | Blanca Thomas | C | 6–5 | |
| Sophomore | 3 | Jordan Zubich | G | 5–11 | |
| RS sophomore | 21 | Ciera Toomey | F | 6–4 | |
| RS sophomore | 4 | Laila Hull | W | 6–1 | |
| Junior | 10 | Reniya Kelly | PG | 5–7 | |
| Junior | 15 | Sydney Barker | PG | 5–6 | |
| RS senior | 11 | Kayla McPherson | PG | 5–8 | |
| Senior | 2 | Nyla Harris | F | 6–2 | |
| Senior | 24 | Indya Nivar | G | 5–10 |
Class of 2025
| Player | Rating | ESPN rank | Position | Height | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nyla Brooks | Five star | No. 13 | Wing | 6–2 | Alexandria, Va. |
| Taliyah Henderson | Five star | No. 27 | Wing | 6–1 | Tucson, Ariz. |
| Taissa Queiroz | Four star | No. 77 | Guard | 6–1 | Santa Rosa, Calif. |
Photo courtesy of UNC Athletics Communications
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