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Neoklis Avdalas has the reaction you'd expect with UNC landing Alexandros Samodurov

Now that he's reunited with his former teammate, Neoklis Avdalas couldn't be happier.
ByNick Delahanty|
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Feb 28, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Neoklis Avdalas (17) with the ball in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Feb 28, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Neoklis Avdalas (17) with the ball in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

While the Tar Heel Nation was pumped to hear that Greek big man Alexandros Samodurov committed to Michael Malone and the UNC basketball program, no one was likely happier than another newcomer to Chapel Hill: Neoklis Avdalas.

North Carolina found a way to reunite Avdalas and Samodurov, who share the Panathinaikos pipeline. Both played for the EuroLeague club in 2022–23, and at the youth level, they also crossed paths at Panathinaikos U18, so there definitely is already an on-court connection between the duo.

The good news is that UNC fans will get to see that connection in Chapel Hill, and Avdalas is just as excited as we are to have Samodurov heading to campus as well.

Avdalas has the reaction you'd expect after UNC lands Samodurov

On social media, Avdalas shared the below social media post, using some emojis to basically say that the duo will be back together soon. With both being newcomers to the program, it will be good for them to have a former teammate to bond with as they acclimate to North Carolina and the new-look Tar Heels team.

UNC's new lineup with Alexandros Samodurov will give Michael Malone Top 25 respect

Who wouldn't be excited for this new era of Carolina Basketball?

For starters, Michael Malone brings his NBA championship level coaching pedigree to Chapel Hill, and has quickly reloaded the roster ahead of his first season at the helm. If all pans out the way it's projected to, this team could be a force to be reckoned with throughout the 2026-2027 season, as both Avdalas and Samodurov are expected to be major pieces to the puzzle for this year's team.

The core rotation appears to be intact now that Samodurov has officially committed, and now it's time for this new-look unit to get in the gym. Summer workouts are on the way, and the newcomers will have plenty of time to make Chapel Hill their home during this time.

From there, it will be a matter of building chemistry, getting all these talented pieces on the same page ahead of the start of the season. The good thing is, Avdalas and Samodurov already have some and look to build upon that with their new Tar Heel teammates.

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