UNC Basketball: Elliot Cadeau set to make immediate impact

We begin our 2023-2024 UNC basketball player previews with an incoming freshman who is expected to be a major part of this year’s team.

With all the roster changes that occurred over the offseason, there may not be a newcomer who is drawing more attention than incoming freshman Elliot Cadeau.

The excitement surrounding his time with the UNC basketball program is extremely high, as fans are anxious to see what the Tar Heels’ new point guard can do with this year’s squad.

Cadeau comes to Chapel Hill with a reputation for being a playmaker. Yes, he has the ability to score the basketball, but his biggest asset is his court vision and passing ability, something that last year’s team truly lacked.

Some around the program are saying that Cadeau is the best passer they’ve had since Kendall Marshall. Tar Heel fans don’t need to be told how high of praise that is!

So, what can we expect from Elliot Cadeau in his first season with the UNC basketball program? Let’s take a closer look!

Prior to North Carolina

You can argue that no high school player in the country had a better year than Elliot Cadeau did during his junior year of high school.

After transferring to Link Academy from Bergen Catholic (NJ), Cadeau helped lead his team to the GEICO Nationals championship. In three games during the tournament, Cadeau set a new record with 29 assists.

Link Academy went 27-1 on the season, as Cadeau played a big role in the team’s success. He went on to earn second-team Max Preps All-American honors after averaging 10.9 points and 7.6 assists per game.

He was just as good on the EYBL schedule, as he averaged nearly a double-double for the New Heights Lightning (NY). The widely-regarded five-star prospect also comes to North Carolina with international experience under his belt.

Instead of returning to Link Academy for his senior season, Cadeau felt it was time to join the UNC basketball program. He decided to re-classify to join the Class of 2023, as he has proven to be more than ready for the collegiate level.

What to Expect in 2023-2024

For starters, Cadeau should immediately be included in Hubert Davis’ starting unit.

Cadeau didn’t re-classify to come off the bench and learn on the go. He came to Chapel Hill early because he’s ready to take the reigns of the offense, as he should split the ball-handling duties with returning veteran R.J. Davis.

In fact, Cadeau likely will be the team’s primary ball-handler, as his ability to facilitate should help those around him succeed. Davis is a perfect example, as he should benefit from having someone on the floor with him who can lead him to more open shots (without having to do it all himself!)

Bold Prediction

During the team’s media day, Cadeau mentioned how he is on a “two-year” plan. As he’s not solely worried about being a one-and-done, he feels that he can return to the UNC basketball program next season if he believes he needs to develop more.

However, I don’t think he stays very long.

Of course, we’ll welcome him back with open arms, but I do believe that he will be a one-and-done player that will end up being a first-round draft pick in 2024. If the UNC basketball program can turn things around from a season ago, Cadeau will play a huge role in that, as NBA teams will be looking to add him to their future backcourt as early as next season.

In fact, I am going to say that Cadeau averages close to seven assists per game.

To put it into perspective, only four UNC basketball players have ever averaged that in a single season: Kendall Marshall, Ed Cota (three times), Raymond Felton, and Phil Ford.

Cadeau has the ability to join that exclusive club.

Enjoy watching him in Chapel Hill now because he is destined to be the Tar Heels’ next one-and-done standout!

Follow us @KeepingItHeel on X (formerly Twitter) and like our fan page on Facebook for continued coverage of UNC basketball news, updates, and recruiting.