By R.L. Bynum
Coach Michael Malone has secured his prime remaining European center target.
Greek 6–11, 212-pound big man Alexandros Samodurov (pronounced “sa-muh-DJOOR-ahv”), who has EuroLeague experience, has committed to continue his career at Carolina after withdrawing from the NBA draft process, according to multiple reports.
Samodurov shares the Panathinaikos pipeline with UNC commitment Neoklis Avdalas, with both playing for that 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 League games, 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.”
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| No. | Class | Player | Pos. | Hgt | Wgt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Freshman | Maximo Adams (MAX-ih-mo) | F | 6–7 | 220 |
| 30 | Freshman | Malloy Smith | G | 6–5 | 180 |
| 21 | Freshman | Sayon Keita (SIGH-on KAY-tuh) | C | 7–0 | 205 |
| 5 | Freshman | Kevin Thomas | W | 6–6 | 205 |
| 35 | Sophomore | Cade Bennerman — U | C | 7–0 | 205 |
| 17 | Sophomore | Neo Avdalas — W (NEE-oh ahv-DOLL-lus) | G | 6–9 | 220 |
| 2 | Sophomore | Isaiah Denis | G | 6–4 | 185 |
| 3 | Sophomore | Matt Able — X | G | 6–5 | 200 |
| 22 | Junior | Alexandros Samodurov (Alex-ANN-drose SAH-muh-DUHR-off) | C | 6–11 | 225 |
| 1 | Senior | Terrence Brown — Y | G | 6–3 | 180 |
| 4 | Senior | Jaydon Young (JAY-din) | G | 6–4 | 200 |
| 15 | Senior | Jarin Stevenson (JARE-in) | F | 6–10 | 220 |
| 14 | Graduate | Angelo Brizzi — Z (BRIZZ-ee) | G | 6–3 | 200 |
| 54 | Graduate | Cameron Fens — V (Fenz) | C | 7–0 | 255 |
| Walk-ons | |||||
| 99 | Junior | John Holbrook — SA | F | 6–8 | 230 |
| 32 | Senior | Evan Smith | G | 6–1 | 200 |
V — South Dakota transfer; U — Northwestern transfer; W — Virginia Tech transfer; X — N.C. State transfer; Y — Utah transfer; Z — Buffalo transfer; SA — Holbrook is a designated student-athlete, so he doesn’t count against UNC’s 15-player limit.
Coach Michael Malone’s coaching staff — Associate head coach Chuck Martin; assistant coaches Bryan Tibaldi (tih-BALL-dee), Sean May, Jorge Sanz (HOR-hey sahnth), Pat Sullivan and Brandon Robinson; Director of player development Deon Thompson.
Players who entered 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 | Pacific |
UNC schedule
| Date | Month/day | Opponent/event (final ranks) |
|---|---|---|
| October | Exhibitions | |
| 9 | 7 p.m. Friday | vs. USC in Greensboro |
| 18 | 5 p.m. Sunday | vs. Indiana in Indianapolis |
| 27 | Tuesday | vs. Charlotte |
| November | Regular season | |
| 2 | Monday | vs. Western Carolina |
| 6 | Friday | vs. Wofford |
| 10 | Tuesday | vs. Wyoming |
| 13 | Friday | vs. Georgia |
| 20 | Friday | vs. Marshall |
| 23 | Monday | vs. Monmouth |
| 27 | Friday | Dick Vitale Invitational vs. West Virginia in Charlotte |
| December | ||
| 1 | Tuesday | ACC/SEC Challenge vs. No. 13 Arkansas |
| 6 | Sunday | vs. Butler |
| 12 | Saturday afternoon | at Georgetown |
| 15 | 7 p.m. Tuesday | Tobacco Road Classic vs. N.C. State in Greensboro |
| 19 | 2:30 Saturday, CBS | CBS Sports Classic vs. Kentucky in New York |
| 21 | Monday | vs. The Citadel |
| 30 | Wednesday | vs. California |
| January | ||
| 2 | Saturday | at Boston College |
| 5 | 7 p.m. Tuesday | at Louisville |
| 9 | Saturday | vs. N.C. State |
| 13 | Wednesday | at Florida State |
| 16 | Saturday | vs. Stanford |
| 19 | Tuesday | vs. No. 17 Virginia |
| 23 | Saturday | at Syracuse |
| 26 | Tuesday | vs. SMU |
| 30 | Saturday | Nashville Hoops Showdown vs. No. 5 Illinois in Nashville, Tenn. |
| February | ||
| 2 | Tuesday | at Notre Dame |
| 6 | Saturday | vs. Georgia Tech |
| 8 | Monday, 7 p.m, ESPN | vs. Louisville |
| 13 | Saturday | at No. 4 Duke |
| 20 | Saturday | at Wake Forest |
| 22 | Monday, 7 p.m, ESPN | vs. No. 24 Miami |
| 27 | Saturday | at Virginia Tech |
| March | ||
| 2 | Tuesday | at Pittsburgh |
| 6 | Saturday | vs. No. 4 Duke |
| 9–13 | Tues.-Sat. | ACC tournament in Greensboro |
Photo courtesy of FIBA
