The Micah Handlogten-UNC door remains open and Michael Malone must walk through

You're not alone if you've been scratching your head in confusion over 2022 signees getting an extra season of eligibility if they decide to go that route. Such is the case for Florida center transfer Micah Handlogten, who entered the transfer portal earlier this year before all of this drama went down. He has been heavily linked to North Carolina in recent weeks.

And while there was indeed some confusion on whether or not he'd be able to make a move to a different team, that's on the table at this point in time unless the NCAA steps in to ruin things there. With this, it makes all the sense in the world for UNC and Michael Malone to up their recruiting efforts here, as the veteran big man would provide the kind of imposing presence the roster is still missing.

North Carolina has been linked to both Micah Handlogten and Cameron Fens in the transfer portal

The questions some fans had about Hanglogten was whether or not he'd be able to play for a different program following the new call from Judge Charlotte Sweeney. With that, though, the 7-foot-1 playmaker entered the portal in early April, which gives him the option to play for a different squad.

Former North Carolina guard Seth Trimble also entered the portal, with the plan of playing for North Carolina next season had he been given an extra year. This spring, fifth years were not on the table for players, which led to Trimble pursuing his NBA dreams, and Malone bringing in Terrence Brown to run his offense in 2026-27.

Trimble could technically still come back to Chapel Hill, but guard isn't a priority for Malone, and center is. That's why the Handlogten-to-UNC buzz has grown of late, but Cameron Fens is also a player to keep a close eye on. The former South Dakota standout didn't enter the portal in April like Handlogten, but he's taking other legal routes to potentially play elsewhere next campaign.

The interest between Fens and North Carolina is mutual, but there are still some loops to jump through. That's not the case with Handlogten, which is why Malone should have him on speed dial first. Handlogten is known for his strong defense and rebounding abilities, and while Sayon Keita and Alexandros Samodurov are ready to make an impact at the five, Handlogten provides NCAA experience the two simply don't have.

He'd be able to provide invaluable minutes for Malone, while also continuing to develop his game under assistant coach/program legend Sean May. It'd be a win-win for UNC and Handlogten, but only time will tell if the Tar Heels prioritize him oveFens or not. Both would be fantastic additions at this point of the offseason, but if Malone had to rock with just one, Handlogten should be the pick.

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