Michael Malone and UNC suffered a big blow on Friday as Henri Veesaar declared for the NBA Draft. Replacing the big man will not be an easy task for the former Denver Nuggets head coach, especially given the timing of the decision.
But there are still some centers that Malone could target to replace Veesaar. Here’s a look at three players the Tar Heels should consider to bolster their frontcourt.
Massamba Diop Is One of the Top Big Men Still on the Portal
Diop is one of the few high-impact bigs still left in the transfer portal, and would offer Malone a ready-made replacement for Veesaar. In his freshman year with Arizona State, Diop averaged 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game.
The 21-year-old has a versatile all-around game with an ability to handle the ball and create open looks. He is a solid screener and also likes to attack the rim. In addition, he is a capable three-point shooter, averaging 30.8% last season, making him a player Malone can build his team around.
The problem is that Diop is attracting plenty of interest, with St. John’s and Gonzaga leading the race for his signature. Malone will have NIL money to offer, but whether that will be enough remains to be seen.
Julius Halaifonua Took Big Leaps In His Sophomore Year
Halaifonua enjoyed a promising sophomore year and will have his sights set on playing a bigger role at his next college team. The New Zealand native averaged 9.5 points and 4.4 rebounds in his sophomore season for the Georgetown Hoyas while playing just 19.8 minutes per game.
A reliable shooter who averaged 60.8% from the field last season, Halaifonua also reads the game well and is a fluent passer. In addition, his physicality makes him a tough defender, even though he is prone to foul trouble.
Halaifonua certainly has the attributes to become a dependable piece in Malone’s system. But again, the Tar Heels will have to move quickly if they want to be in contention for his signature.
UNC has already landed the commitment of Logue, who arrives from the Florida Atlantic Owls ahead of his junior year of college eligibility. The Frenchman averaged 11.2 minutes across 28 games last season, while averaging 4.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.
Malone and the UNC scouts clearly saw something in him to secure his commitment. But with not many big-name centers left in the transfer portal, they may look to give him an opportunity in the starting lineup.
Logue has shown strong rebounding skills in his two years in college basketball. He also protects the rim well and has the physical attributes to succeed at a big team like UNC. Though he is still pretty raw, Logue can develop into a dominant player under Malone.
