It has been a busy start to Michael Malone’s stint as North Carolina’s head coach, with the Tar Heels making a number of big moves in the transfer portal. UNC is looking to bring in reinforcements after an underwhelming year relative to the high standards set at Chapel Hill.
Here’s the rundown on the latest arrivals and exits involving North Carolina as the clock ticks down on the 15-day transfer portal.
UNC Tar Heels’ 2026 Transfer Portal Tracker
Players Leaving in the Transfer Portal
- Isaiah Denis
- Jonathan Powell
- Derek Dixon
- Zayden High
- Kyan Evans
- James Brown
- Luka Bogavac
Denis entered the portal after an injury-curtailed true freshman season at UNC. But he is keeping his options open and previously hinted that he could yet return to Chapel Hill next year.
Powell is headed to Pittsburgh after just one season at UNC. He averaged 4.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game off the bench for the Tar Heels.
Dixon has also found his next team after entering the portal. The guard is joining the Arizona Wildcats after averaging 6.5 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game for UNC this year.
Hubert Davis relied heavily on High when the UNC roster was hit by injuries this season. The big man is headed to the South Florida Bulls as part of their roster overhaul.
Evans is also in the portal after losing his spot in the UNC starting lineup. He most recently visited Iowa after also taking an official visit to Minnesota this week. The guard averaged 4.0 points and 2.5 assists per game in his only season as a Tar Heel.
The future of Brown remains uncertain after he entered the transfer portal. He played only 9 games in his sophomore year, and his season ended with foot surgery in February.
Bogavac is leaving UNC after averaging 9.8 points per game on 40.2% shooting. He has committed to joining Oklahoma State.
Confirmed Departures
- Caleb Wilson (NBA Draft)
- Seth Trimble (Exhausted Eligibility)
- Elijah Davis (Exhausted Eligibility)
Wilson has already declared for the NBA Draft after just one season with North Carolina. The freshman forward was the standout player for UNC this season, averaging 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
Trimble and Davis have both exhausted their eligibility upon their graduation and will be leaving the Tar Heels.
UNC Players With Remaining Eligibility
- Henri Veesaar
- Jaydon Young
- Jarin Stevenson
Stevenson and Young have already announced that they are returning to UNC next season, with the latter entering the portal before withdrawing to stay.
Young will hope to play a bigger role for Malone’s team after averaging 7.2 minutes and 1.8 points per game this season. Stevenson established himself as a starter for UNC after transferring from Alabama. He averaged 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game this year.
All eyes will now be on Veesaar as he makes a decision on whether to stay with UNC or make the jump to the NBA.
UNC’s Incoming Players
- Maximo Adams
- Neoklis Avdalas
- Malloy Smith
Malone made his first big move in the transfer portal by bringing in Avdalas from Virginia Tech. The 6-foot-9 versatile guard/forward averaged 12.1 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in his freshman year for the Hokies. He also shot 31.4% from the three-point line and will be keen to make a big impact in what will be a key year for his NBA Draft stock.
Adams joins UNC from the 2026 recruiting class. The Sierra Canyon forward reaffirmed his commitment to the Tar Heels following the arrival of Malone as head coach.
Malloy Smith, son of former Tar Heel and two-time NBA champion Kenny Smith, has also signed a letter of intent to join UNC next season.
Five-star recruit Dylan Mingo was also set to join UNC, but he decommited and reopened his recruitment.
