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Matt Able finally made the UNC-NBA Draft call that was a no-brainer for him

Tar Heel fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Matt Able is making his way to Chapel Hill.
ByNick Delahanty|
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Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; NC State Wolfpack guard Matt Able (3) scores as Virginia Cavaliers forward Devin Tillis (11) defends in the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; NC State Wolfpack guard Matt Able (3) scores as Virginia Cavaliers forward Devin Tillis (11) defends in the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Matt Able made us all wait it out, but in the end, the wait was worth it!

Matt Able withdraws from the NBA Draft

North Carolina received some major news on Tuesday, as Able, the former NC State standout, has withdrawn his name from the 2026 NBA Draft. He will return to the college ranks, where he will play his sophomore season for Michael Malone and the Tar Heels.

This is significant offseason news for the Tar Heels, given how important he's been to the construction of next season's roster. There were plenty of doubts that he'd ever make it to campus, considering he performed well at the NBA Draft Combine, but in the end, Able and his team believe that him playing another season at the college level will serve him well.

For North Carolina, having him officially penciled into next year's roster is a huge sigh of relief. Sure, the expectation all along was that this was the likely outcome, but based on all the rumblings over the last few weeks, it left everyone unsettled not knowing if Able worked his way into being a guaranteed first round pick in this year's draft class.

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A 6-foot-6 rising sophomore, Able possesses a skill set that is absolutely coveted by coaches around the country. He is an elite three-point shooter, as he put that well on display during his lone season in Raleigh, a year in which he connected on over 37% of his shots from beyond the arc.

Able's ability to stretch the floor will be important for the Tar Heels, especially given the number of playmakers Malone has recruited to Chapel Hill since taking over as the program's head coach. It's safe to say that Able will see an increased role as a Tar Heel, setting him up for a potential breakout sophomore season and helping him increase his NBA Draft stock by the time his college career comes to a close.

Now, we can all take a deep breath, as Matt Able is officially heading to Chapel Hill to continue his college basketball career.

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