By R.L. Bynum
When Michael Malone wrapped up a flurry of Tuesday commitments, the roster looked markedly different than when the day began.
For much of April, he had constructed North Carolina’s roster deliberately, at least in public view, with far more questions than answers. That changed quickly on Tuesday, when the Tar Heels added Utah 6–3 transfer guard Terrence Brown, N.C. State 6–6 transfer guard Matt Able and Florida Atlantic 6–9 transfer center Maxim Logue.
That injected clarity into a roster that had been thin after seven players from last season entered the transfer portal. The flurry did not complete the rebuild, but it provided shape and direction.
Brown and Able fill pressing needs, giving UNC ballhandling, scoring punch and positional flexibility that were missing last season.
Brown arrives from Utah after averaging nearly 19.9 points per game, bringing an attacking style that puts pressure on defenses and creates space for others. He figures to start at point guard and be a perimeter scoring threat.
Able brings familiarity with the ACC and versatility on the wing. His value lies less in volume scoring and more in balance, providing shooting potential, size and the ability to defend multiple positions.
Alongside Brown and Virginia Tech transfer Neoklis Avdalas, who committed earlier this month, UNC finally has a backcourt combination that fits together naturally.
It is now reasonable to see how the pieces connect: Brown as the lead scorer, Avdalas as a creator with size and passing ability, and Able as a connector who can slide between roles depending on matchups.
Logue addressed one of the roster’s gaps in frontcourt depth. The French center is not being penciled in as a focal point. But his size, rebounding and interior presence give Carolina a rotation piece it did not have at the beginning of the week.
Logue’s addition helps stabilize the floor, but it does not answer the largest question still hanging over the roster: What is next for center Henri Veesaar?
As the roster begins to take shape, much still hinges on whether Veesaar returns for his senior season. He emerged last season as UNC’s leading scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker after losing Caleb Wilson to injuries, and developed into one of the ACC’s most complete big men over the course of the season.
Veesaar has not entered the transfer portal, and his clear choice is either to return to Chapel Hill or enter the NBA draft. His decision remains unresolved, with conversations between his camp and the program continuing.
The deadline for him to enter the NBA draft process is 11:59 p.m. Friday, then he would have until 11:59 p.m. on May 27 to withdraw his name to maintain his college eligibility. That’s 10 days after the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, which runs from May 10 to 17. He’s likely to stay in the draft if he gets information suggesting that he’ll be a first-round pick.
The stakes are enormous for him and the Tar Heels.
If Veesaar returns, he becomes the centerpiece of Malone’s first UNC team. His ability to score inside, stretch defenses with his perimeter shooting, and anchor the defense helps every other player on the court.
Brown’s driving lanes open. Avdalas has a dependable half-court target. The Tar Heels suddenly look like a team capable of fighting near the top of the ACC.
If Veesaar leaves, the equation changes dramatically. Carolina would be forced back into the transfer market for a starting-caliber big man at a point when options are limited. Mining center talent in Europe would likely the best option at that point.
Until Veesaar makes a final decision, UNC’s roster remains unfinished. His return would transform Tuesday’s progress into a foundation. His departure would leave Malone searching for a final answer.
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Roster assuming all players with eligibility other than Caleb Wilson and the seven players who entered the transfer portal return, which would put UNC three under the 15-player limit. The class for next season is listed.
| No./ Stars | Class | Player | Pos. | Hgt | Wgt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 star | Freshman | Maximo Adams | SF | 6–7 | 205 |
| 4 star | Freshman | Malloy Smith | CG | 6–5 | 190 |
| Sophomore | Neoklis Avdalas — W | G | 6–5 | 215 | |
| Sophomore | Isaiah Denis | G | 6–4 | 180 | |
| Sophomore | Matt Able — X | G | 6–6 | 205 | |
| Junior | Maxim Logue — Y | C | 6–9 | 232 | |
| Senior | Terrence Brown — Z | G | 6–3 | 174 | |
| 4 | Senior | Jaydon Young | G | 6–4 | 200 |
| 13 | RS senior | Henri Veesaar | 5 | 7–0 | 225 |
| 15 | Senior | Jarin Stevenson | 4 | 6–10 | 215 |
| Walk-ons | |||||
| 25 | Junior | John Holbrook | 4 | 6–8 | 230 |
| 32 | Senior | Evan Smith | 2 | 6–1 | 195 |
W — Virginia Tech transfer; X — N.C. State transfer; Y — FAU transfer; Z — Utah transfer
In transfer portal
| Player | Class next season | Pos. | Hgt | Wgt | Next school |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Bogavac | Senior | W | 6–6 | 215 | Oklahoma State |
| James Brown | Senior | C | 6–10 | 240 | |
| Derek Dixon | Sophomore | G | 6–5 | 200 | Arizona |
| Kyan Evans | Senior | G | 6–2 | 175 | Minnesota |
| Zayden High | Junior | C | 6–10 | 230 | South Florida |
| Jonathan Powell | Junior | G | 6–6 | 190 | Pittsburgh |
| Ivan Matlekovic | Junior | C | 7–0 | 255 |
Key offseason dates
April 7 — Transfer portal opened
April 16 — Was the deadline to request an evaluation from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee
11:59 p.m. Tuesday — Transfer portal closed
11:59 p.m. Friday — NBA early-entry deadline
Sunday — Deadline for UNC players on last season’s roster to enter the transfer portal
May 8–10 — G-League Combine in Chicago
May 10 — NBA Draft Lottery
May 10–17 — NBA Draft Combine in Chicago
May 27 (11:59 p.m.) — NCAA early-entry withdrawal deadline
Week of June 22 (date to be determined) — NBA Draft
Nonconference schedule so far
(Other than the ACC/SEC Challenge, games without links revealed from reporting by Alex Rosinski)
(10 of 14 games)
Nov. 2 — vs. Western Carolina
Nov. 6 — vs. Wofford
Nov. 10 — vs. Wyoming
Nov. 13 — vs. Georgia
Nov. 20 — vs. Marshall
Dec. 1 or 2 — vs. SEC team in ACC/SEC Challenge
Dec. 12 — at Georgetown
Dec. 19 — vs. Kentucky in CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden
Dec. 21 — vs. The Citadel
November or December — vs. Butler
Photo courtesy of UNC Athletics
