A full day of memorable Carolina victories, from postseason thrills and rivalry showdowns to a memorable Seth Trimble shot, will take over ACC Network on Wednesday as part of the channel’s annual school takeover programming.
Category: Women’s basketball
UNC promotes Murray Burrus to Director of Women’s Basketball
Jaelynn Murray Burrus’ Carolina story has already taken her from player to captain, from graduate student to staff member, and now into one of the program’s key leadership roles at a pivotal moment in college athletics. After three years on North Carolina’s women’s basketball staff as assistant director of recruiting operations, Murray Burrus was elevated Thursday to Director of Women’s Basketball, giving the former Tar Heel forward an expanded role in a program she has helped shape from multiple vantage points.
Ustby earns Player of Year, many other awards, after averaging double-double in Italy
Italian basketball fans found out what Carolina fans already knew — Alyssa Ustby is a talented and versatile player, and proved it by piling up the postseason awards. In her first professional season, the 6–1 Ustby earned Eurobasket.com Player of the Year honors in Serie A playing for Panthers Roseto after averaging a double-double over 24 games last season.
Deja Kelly hits 31, flirts with triple-double in Upshot League debut; Gakdeng also in league
Deja Kelly built a reputation during her five college seasons as a reliable scorer, and on opening night of a new professional venture, she carried that scoring instinct with her. Kelly collected 31 points in the Charlotte Crown’s 103–95 road win against the Jacksonville Waves on opening night of the inaugural Upshot League game, giving the league an immediate showcase performance from the former North Carolina and Oregon star.
Former UNC guard Astakhova commits to BYU
Former UNC guard Liza Astakhova has committed to continue her college career at Brigham Young. The Russian guard, who played sparingly at Carolina last season as a freshman, made the announcement Thursday in an Instagram post.
Former UNC forward Henderson commits to Clemson
Former North Carolina freshman forward Taliyah Henderson will continue her career at ACC rival Clemson. Henderson made the announcement on Wednesday in an Instagram post, saying that she is, “Excited for what’s ahead.”
As expected, former UNC guard Aarnisalo commits to return to UCLA
Guard Elina Aarnisalo is returning to UCLA after one season at Carolina. Aarnisalo made the announcement in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday night. When she entered the transfer portal on Wednesday with a “do not contact” tag, it was widely expected that she would return to the Bruins.
Stanford guard Clardy third veteran UNC women’s portal commitment of weekend
Guard Chloe Clardy, who made 38% of her 3-point attempts last season for the Cardinal, is headed to UNC after averaging 12 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 steals last season as a junior, when she started 11 times. She announced her decision in a post on X (formerly Twitter) saying that it’s “God’s plan.”
Former Syracuse guard Burrows commits to Tar Heels
It’s been a productive recruiting weekend for Coach Courtney Banghart. For the second time in less than 24 hours, she has snagged a rising senior star out of the transfer portal, this time Syracuse guard Sophie Burrows, who made an official visit this weekend. The 6–2 guard announced her commitment in an Instagram post, saying, “Let’s get it!”
Versatile former Oklahoma State post player Akot commits to Carolina
After a breakout junior season at Oklahoma State, forward Achol Akot committed to North Carolina on Friday during a visit to Chapel Hill. Akot, who played her first two seasons at UCF, announced the decision on her Instagram account late Friday night. The versatile 6–1 forward will help fill the void left by the loss of senior forward Nyla Harris.
Former UNC guard Lanie Grant commits to TCU
Eight days after announcing that she would enter the transfer portal, former UNC guard Lanie Grant has committed to TCU. She made the announcement Thursday night in an X post, saying she was going, “Where the West begins.” Grant nearly entered the portal last offseason but changed her mind.
UNC guard Lanie Grant to enter the transfer portal
After two seasons at North Carolina and 4½ years after she committed to the Tar Heels, Lanie Grant has decided to enter the transfer portal.
Harpring shakes off painful shoulder injury, shines at McDonald’s game
North Carolina already knew it would be getting one of the best point guards in the country in Kate Harpring, but the Tar Heels may not have known how tough she is until Tuesday night.
Transcript, video from the UNC and UConn press conferences after the Huskies’ Sweet 16 win
FORT WORTH, Texas — Here is the complete transcript and video from No. 15-ranked North Carolina’s press conference Friday after its season-ending Sweet 16 loss to No. 1 UConn, with Coach Courtney Banghart, Indya Nivar and Nyla Harris, and the UConn press conference with Geno Auriemma, Azzi Fudd, Blanca Quinonez, Sarah Strong. Additionally, video from dressing-room interviews with Lanie Grant and Elina Aarnisalo.
Nivar has career day as UNC plays UConn tough for one half before falling
FORT WORTH, Texas — For one half, North Carolina showed the best team in the country the kind of defense that thrust the Tar Heels into the national spotlight. No. 1 UConn could only be held down so long, though. The Huskies used a 19–0 run that started late in the first half and did what they do to every opponent, pulling away for an easy win. This time, it was a 63–42 victory on Friday in the Sweet 16 at Dickies Arena that ended UNC’s season.