In just five short months, college basketball season begins. With a new head coach in Michael Malone and several newcomers, UNC is gearing up for what fans hope is a successful season.
North Carolina’s 2026-27 roster only features four returners: Jarin Stevenson, Isaiah Denis, Jaydon Young and Evan Smith. Stevenson likely slides into the starting lineup, Denis likely share minutes at point guard with Terrence Brown, Young will be a key reserve and Smith likely enters late in blowouts.
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A large portion of the Tar Heels’ roster will come from the collegiate transfer portal and overseas. In ESPN’s latest transfer class rankings, UNC lands eighth overall.
“First-year head coach Michael Malone went overseas to secure frontcourt reinforcements, but procured his perimeter group in the portal, and clearly leaned into high-major experience — including with the ACC-proven Avdalas and Able,” Jeff Borzello writes. “Avdalas has shown flashes of first-round potential, while Able seems poised to land in mock drafts after withdrawing this season. Brown is a big-time scorer who has averaged right around 20 points per game at two different programs (FDU before Utah).”
