Matt Able’s UNC social media posts hints he knows what needs to be done

After an impressive freshman season, primarily coming off the bench for NC State, 2025 four-star recruit Matt Able has seemingly poured everything into becoming a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Still, coming out of the NBA Draft Combine, it doesn’t appear as though that dream is going to come true. 

Able is slotted at No. 33 overall in Jeremy Woo’s latest post-combine mock draft from ESPN, and Able didn’t crack Christopher Kline’s latest mock for FanSided, based on the growing assumption that he’s going to return to school. 

The 6-foot-6 guard still has until May 27 to officially withdraw from the draft and retain his eligibility, but it seems that he’s hinting at what decision he’s going to make on social media by reposting a graphic announcing the official tip time for UNC’s matchup with Kentucky at Madison Square Garden for the CBS Sports Classic on December, 19. 

Matt Able reposts graphic UNC’s scheduled matchup with Kentucky next season

NBA Draft decisions have loomed large over UNC’s offseason. Henri Veesaar is intent on staying in the draft, regardless of his draft stock. That decision sent Michael Malone overseas to recruit international talent to his front court, ultimately landing Sayon Keita from FC Barcelona. UNC is also on the brink of locking in a deal with Greek seven-footer Alexandros Samodurov, though a deal is still not complete. 

If Able opted to stay in the draft, it would throw a major wrench in Malone’s plans and likely force him overseas to survey the limited backcourt options very late in the recruiting cycle. It would also put a major spotlight on returning sophomore Isaiah Denis, who withdrew from the Transfer Portal to return to Chapel Hill under Malone after playing in just 10 games last season, after an offseason injury stunted his development. 

Ultimately, though, all signs have been pointing to Able playing for the Tar Heels next year, and while that’s obviously best for UNC, it’s also likely in Able’s best interest as well. Malone’s roster desperately needs Able’s shooting, and even with the way he prioritized shot-creators this offseason, UNC will need Able to do more than simply spot-up shoot. 

The former four-star recruit can knock down catch-and-shoot threes with regularity, but he also flashed glimpses of on-ball playmaking last season for the Wolfpack, attacking closeouts, running secondary actions, and even initiating the pick-and-roll. If he shows more of that at UNC under a former NBA head coach who will have him prepared for the league, he’ll become a lock first-round pick in a much weaker 2027 NBA Draft class. 

Able was solid as a freshman, but he was a clear afterthought in one of the greatest freshmen classes college basketball has ever seen. The first round is littered with one-and-done talents, which pushed Able down the board, and have seemingly forced him to return to college basketball for another year.

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