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Michael Malone has every right to be angry with Cameron Fens' UNC drama continuing

Will he become eligible or not?
ByBraulio Perez
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Nov 5, 2025; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; South Dakota Coyotes center Cameron Fens (54) drives against Creighton Bluejays forward Isaac Traudt (41) during the first half at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
Nov 5, 2025; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; South Dakota Coyotes center Cameron Fens (54) drives against Creighton Bluejays forward Isaac Traudt (41) during the first half at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Only four days from North Carolina's season-opener, big man Cameron Fens' eligibility situation is still clear as mud. While the South Dakota transfer is in Chapel Hill, living on campus, and practicing with the team, he hasn't been able to hit the hardwood for exhibition games because it's unknown whether he'll be eligible to play this season.

Yup, despite committing to North Carolina months ago, his status is still in limbo because the NCAA has worked tirelessly to make sure players like Fens aren't given an extra year of eligibility. However, thanks to lawsuits flying around across the country, all hope is not lost. With that said, the longer we wait for a final decision to come in, the more frustration grows for the staff. Michael Malone made that much quite clear following the win over Charlotte on Tuesday night.

"I would hope that the NCAA at some point in time tries to clean this up because Cameron Fens deserves to play," an upset Malone said when asked about Fens' status moving forward. "Cameron Fens deserves to be out there.

"All we're doing right now is supporting him wholeheartedly, both he and his family. It's not easy for him going through practice every day knowing that, at this point in time, he's not eligible, but we believe in his case and we're going to continue to fight for Cameron Fens."

Michael Malone was right to call out the NCAA over Cameron Fens still not being eligible

No one can fault Malone for calling out the NCAA a bit here. Let's be real; all of this has been complete and total madness. The fact that some of these cases are being decided on a state-by-state level makes it all the more of a circus. Why does it make sense that Fens has to remain on the bench because he filed his lawsuit in Tennessee, but former Heel Seth Trimble is all good to go because he filed in Kentucky?

It's all silly, and no one can deny that how this all plays out will have a monster impact on Carolina's season. During preseason action, the lack of a big-time force near the glass has been apparent. The Tar Heels need a bruiser down low to battle for rebounds with Henri Veesaar now in the NBA.

While Sayon Keita and Alexandros Samodurov can provide this team with quality minutes, they're both overseas talents getting used to the college game. Fens' experience alone on the low block is a major bonus for the Tar Heels and assistant coach Sean May.

After averaging 14.4 points and 8.0 rebounds last campaign, Fens, a 7-0, 255-pounder, is ready to make a strong impact in the ACC this season. However, your guess is as good as ours on whether or not he's going to lace up his sneakers to take on Western Carolina for the season-opener on Nov. 2.

For now, all signs are pointing to him having to sit this one out while he waits for the final word to come in, which is a total joke. This is not fair to Fens, and it's certainly not fair to Malone as he gets ready for Year 1 with UNC. The NCAA has created this drama, and it's doing nothing to right this wrong.

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