The UNC basketball program underwent a complete roster rebuild this offseason, assembling a roster for the 2025-2026 season that features numerous transfer additions along with some incoming freshman talent.
While some newcomers have garnered more attention than others, there are a few on the roster who can become under-the-radar stars for North Carolina this season. Jon Rothstein has compiled a list of his 20 under-the-radar transfers leading up to the 2025-2026 season, which includes a Tar Heel expected to play a significant role in his first season wearing Carolina Blue.
That player is Colorado State transfer Kyan Evans, the student-athlete who is expected to take over the reins as the UNC basketball program's starting lineup.
Here's what Rothstein had to say about Evans:
"How did Colorado State win 11 games down the stretch en route to nearly making the Sweet 16 last March? This guy’s play at point guard had a lot to do with it. Evans is stepping up a weight class by going from the Mountain West to Chapel Hill, but it isn’t like he hasn’t played in big games before. Remember: Evans averaged 16.5 points in a pair of NCAA Tournament games last March with Colorado State. "
Sure, Evans is taking a major jump in terms of the level of competition he'll be competing against on a nightly basis. However, this is a guy who has plenty of big game experience under his belt, as he's coming off a NCAA Tournament stretch in which he averaged 16.5 points per game over his two appearances.
The Tar Heels not only aim to make the NCAA Tournament but expect to make a deep run come March. In order to do that, the UNC basketball program needs Evans to thrive in his new role with his new squad, something that Hubert Davis and company are confident will happen.
Evans certainly has the potential to become a breakout star, especially if he is able to play at the same type of level he has during his time at Colorado State.