By R.L. Bynum
North Carolina’s push to reinforce its frontcourt includes yet another European center who has a connection to one of the Tar Heels’ newcomers.
Alexandros Samodurov (pronounced “sa-muh-DJOOR-ahv”) is a 6–11, 212-pound Greek center who has already played in the EuroLeague. Multiple reports in the past week, including one from Inside Carolina confirming contact, link UNC to Samodurov as he evaluates his college options while also going through the NBA draft process.
Samodurov shares the Panathinaikos pipeline with UNC commitment Neoklis Avdalas, with both playing for the EuroLeague club in 2022–23. At the youth level, they also crossed paths at Panathinaikos U18 and share the same agent, Alex Saratsis of Octagon.
Samodurov was born in Thessaloniki and developed at 10 Academy, a program tied to former Panathinaikos and EuroLeague guard Nikos Chatzivrettas.
A FIBA scouting feature from his U18 days described him as a “big forward” who impressed with “outstanding versatility on both ends,” highlighting mobility, touch, and the ability to play in multiple actions rather than being a stationary post piece.
The same FIBA story emphasized that he can be efficient as a roll man, shows potential attacking closeouts, and can handle the ball in transition at times.
“I believe some of my main strengths are reading the opposing team and making correct decisions, especially in critical moments of the game,” said Samodurov in a Eurohoops Scouting story, describing the two-way part of his game. “Also, I can play good transition defense and protect the rim. The position that suits my game the most is power forward, as I can play away from the basket and close to it.”
FIBA’s report noted that his mobility and length allow him to have an impact on plays as a help defender and shot-blocker. It also acknowledged the next step that still has to come: physical development that allows him to finish through contact and hold ground.
“Physically, I have to get stronger, and technically, I need to improve my one-on-one defense and become more consistent on my shot,” he said.
At Panathinaikos, Samodurov has been part of a roster filled with veteran professionals, which has naturally capped his minutes. This season, he appeared in 13 EuroLeague games and averaged 2.6 points and 0.7 of a rebound in about 6.2 minutes per game. In 17 Stoiximan Basket Leaguegames, he averaged 4.0 points and 2.4 rebounds in 12.8 minutes over 17 games.
In a 93–74 Jan. 20 win over Baskonia, he collected 11 points, three rebounds, a steal, a block and a 3-pointer in 17 minutes.
During EuroBasket 2025, Samodurov described what it felt like when Greek fans began chanting his name after a strong second half. That obviously could happen in the Smith Center during a big game.
“Certainly, I felt very special; the whole arena was chanting my name. It was a very emotional moment for me,” he said. “This is my first time at such a major tournament. We need to stay focused and look ahead to the next game.”
The FIBA evaluation mentioned his potential to attack closeouts, handle some transition responsibility, and use touch inside, which suggests he can function in actions that ask the big to make reads.
Defensively, his length and timing have been described as tools that allow him to affect shots as a help defender and a shot-blocker.
“For sure, it’s beneficial to have long-term goals, and playing in the NBA is one of my main ones,” he said in the Eurohoops Scouting interview. “My number one long-term goal is to become the best player that I can become and reach my full potential as a professional basketball player and as a person. If I achieve this, playing in the NBA will come with it.”
He’s another big man who Coach Michael Malone could potentially lure to Chapel Hill.
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Roster assuming all players with eligibility other than Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar 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 |
| 3 star | Freshman | Malloy Smith | CG | 6–5 | 190 |
| 5 star | Freshman | Sayon Keita | C | 7–0 | 215 |
| RS freshman | Cade Bennerman — W | C | 7–0 | 205 | |
| Sophomore | Neoklis Avdalas — X | G | 6–9 | 215 | |
| Sophomore | Isaiah Denis | G | 6–4 | 180 | |
| Sophomore | Matt Able — Y | G | 6–6 | 205 | |
| Senior | Terrence Brown — Z | G | 6–3 | 174 | |
| 4 | Senior | Jaydon Young | G | 6–4 | 200 |
| 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 — Northwestern transfer. X — Virginia Tech transfer; Y — N.C. State 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 | Howard |
| 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
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
June 13 — Deadline for international players to withdraw from NBA draft and maintain college eligibility
June 23–24 — NBA draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn
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
Photos courtesy of FIBA
