UNC Basketball: Tar Heels reach out to another graduate transfer

The UNC Basketball program has reached out to a new graduate transfer on Friday, their third in over a week

Last week ahead of North Carolina’s Sweet 16 matchup with Auburn, news broke that the Tar Heels contacted two graduate transfers. Reports stated that UNC had reached out to both Rayjon Tucker and Daniel Utomi as they seek to replace a lot of production they will lose going into next season.

You can now add another transfer to that list.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, the Tar Heels talked with transfer Christian Keeling out of Charleston Southern on Friday.

Keeling is the third transfer the Tar Heels have now talked to in this past week as they hope to add to their 2019-20 roster. UNC will lose four starters with Kenny Williams, Luke Maye and Cameron Johnson Graduating, plus point guard Coby White heading to the NBA.

They will also lose their sixth man in Nassir Little who has hired an agent and put his name into the NBA Draft.

With the departure of those five players, UNC will now need to find a way to replace that production with their 2019 recruiting class and potential transfers. The Tar Heels have Armando Bacot and Jeremiah Francis signed to their recruiting class and are still in the hunt for Cole Anthony, Precious Achiuwa and Matthew Hurt. But even if UNC does land say one or two of those players, they will still need some depth.

Keeling was good last season for Charleston Southern, averaging 18.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. He also played well against tough competition, scoring 18 vs. Florida, 18 vs. Marquette and 25 vs. Clemson.

It’s likely Keeling would come in and start right away for UNC, providing some much needed scoring for next season.

For more on Keeling and other potential graduate transfers, please check back with Keeping It Heel.