Able invited to NBA Draft Combine, along with Wilson, Veesaar and Nickel

North Carolina had three former players and one player it hopes will play for the Tar Heels next season among the 74 invited on Friday to the NBA Draft Combine.

‘Future of French basketball,’ Dessert could be one UNC answer at center

North Carolina’s frontcourt makeover has leaned hard into height and upside, but lacks a big, physical and experienced center who can mix it up inside with the best big men in the country. One answer could be 6–11, 247-pound Brice Dessert (pronounced “Breess deh-ZAHR”), a 23-year-old French center who has been mentioned as a possible target for the Tar Heels.

Senegalese shot-blocker Faye would bring older player to UNC’s frontcourt mix

North Carolina’s search for more frontcourt talent could include shot-blocking phenom Mouhamed “Momo” Faye. At 6–10 and 223 pounds, the Senegalese center plays for the Paris Basketball team in France’s LNB Élite and the EuroLeague, and is one reported target for Coach Michael Malone. Faye just turned 21 in February, making him older than UNC frontcourt newcomers Maximo Adams (18), Sayon Keita (18), Cade Bennerman (19) and Maxim Logue (20).

Boumtje-Boumtje was another center target for UNC, but has committed to Duke

Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje has grown up around basketball long enough to understand the weight of expectations, even before his game began drawing the interest of college programs, including Carolina and Duke. His distinctive last name should be familiar. His dad is Reuben Boumtje-Boumtje (pronounced “BOOM-shay-BOOM-shay”), the former Georgetown center from Cameroon who later played in the NBA and across several European leagues.

Mali center Keita commits to UNC

Sayon Keita, a 7–0, 215-pound center from Mali committed to North Carolina on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
The pledge by the center, who has been part of the FC Barcelona system since 2023 comes one day after the Tar Heels got a commitment from former Northwestern center Cade Bennerman.

7–0 former Northwestern center Bennerman, with a 7–5 wingspan, commits to UNC

Former Northwestern center Cade Bennerman has committed to North Carolina. The 7–0, 205-pound center, who has a 7–5 wingspan, will be more of a developmental addition after redshirting during his first season at Northwestern.

UNC’s history of losing one-season players with eligibility left is short, but it began 54 years ago

The departures of Henri Veesaar and Caleb Wilson mark only the second time in UNC program history that two players with remaining eligibility have left for the NBA after only one season in Chapel Hill. Although there haven’t been nearly as many UNC players who turned pro after only one season as there have been at Duke, the first such Tar Heel did so 54 years ago.

Veesaar declares for the NBA draft, intends to stay in draft

Henri Veesaar will enter the 2026 NBA draft, a move that formalizes the next step for one of college basketball’s most efficient big men and forces Carolina into a fast recalibration under Coach Michael Malone. Matt Norlander of CBS reported that, according to a source, Veesaar intends to stay in the draft.

Wilson, Veesaar have risen in some NBA mock drafts

Two months away from the NBA draft, Caleb Wilson is projected as high as No. 2 on mock drafts, while Henri Veesaar is a consensus second-round pick who three project to go in the first round.

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.”

Former Utah guard Terrence Brown commits to Carolina

Terrence Brown, Utah’s leading scorer and one of the transfer portal’s most sought-after guards, has committed to North Carolina. He made the announcement Tuesday on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “I’m home.”

Denis says faith, talks with Malone shaped decision to return

Isaiah Denis battled a nagging finger injury and never got much of a chance to show his ability during his freshman season at North Carolina. After entering the transfer portal, talking to Coach Michael Malone and praying about it, the talented 6–4 guard decided that his best option was to return to the Tar Heels.

Trimble plays well at PIT, hits 20, with highlight-reel dunk on Washington

Former Carolina guard Seth Trimble helped his NBA pre-draft case this week with a productive three-game showing at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. Trimble averaged 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds, shooting 46.1% from the floor as his Norfolk Sports Club finished 2–1.