First, we got the UNC basketball program's non-conference schedule for the 2026-2027 season. Just a day later, we officially get our first look at the finalized roster.
What a week!
UNC reveals its roster for the 2026-2027 college basketball season
The first UNC basketball roster of the Michael Malone era is officially set, as the Tar Heels will have 16 players suiting up this season.
The squad is set 🔒 pic.twitter.com/oQ3cJfS4iH
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) August 21, 2026
Now, you may be wondering: how can UNC have 16 players when the NCAA limit is 15?
To answer your question: The reason UNC can be over the normal 15-player roster limit is the Designated Student-Athlete (DSA) exception created as part of the House v. NCAA settlement.
When the NCAA formally implemented the new roster limits, it also adopted a grandfathering exception for certain athletes who otherwise would have lost their roster spots. Those qualifying athletes can remain on a roster without counting toward the 15-player cap, as UNC featured the same roster size a season ago.
With that squared away, it's time to look at the roster!
Five returners and 11 newcomers make up this year's squad. Six of those 11 newcomers are transfers, while four are considered true freshmen. Alexandros Samodurov is the other newcomer, but he is not your typical freshman or transfer, given that he's coming to Chapel Hill after playing professionally overseas.
Speaking of the international big men!
Inside Carolina confirmed what Michael Malone said earlier in the week: both Samodurov and Keita have been officially cleared and will be eligible for the 2026-2027 season.
For the returning guys, Jaydon Young (No. 4), Jarin Stevenson (No. 15), and Evan Smith (No. 32) will all stick with the same number for this upcoming season. Ahead of his sophomore season, Isaiah Denis is switching from No. 5 to No. 2, while John Holbrook will now rock the No. 99 jersey.
Here's a look at the jersey numbers for each of the newcomers, starting with the freshmen:
Freshmen
Kevin Thomas- No. 5
Sayon Keita- No. 21
Maximo Adams- No. 25
Malloy Smith- No. 30 (the same number his father, Kenny "The Jet" Smith wore during his UNC basketball career)
Veteran Newcomers
Terrence Brown- No. 1
Matt Able- No. 3
Angelo Brizzi- No. 14
Neoklis Avdalas- No. 17
Alexandros Samodurov- No. 22
Cade Bennerman- No. 35
Cameron Fens- No. 54
The 2026-2027 season will officially open up on November 2, but the Tar Heels will compete in three exhibition games prior to prepare for this new era of Carolina Basketball. Fans will get their first glimpse of this year's squad when the Tar Heels take on USC on October 9 at the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina.
2026-27 UNC Men’s Basketball RosterÂ
1 – Terrence Brown, Sr., 6-3 180 (Minneapolis, Minn.)
2 – Isaiah Denis, So., 6-4 185 (Charlotte, N.C.)
3 – Matt Able, So., 6-5 200 (Baltimore, Md.)
4 – Jaydon Young, Sr., 6-4 200 (Goldsboro, N.C.)
5 – Kevin Thomas, Fr., 6-6 205 (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
14 – Angelo Brizzi, Gr., 6-3 200 (Warrenton, Va.)
15 – Jarin Stevenson, Sr., 6-10 220 (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
17 – Neoklis Avdalas, So., 6-9 220 (Athens, Greece)
21 – Sayon Keita, Fr., 7-1 205 (Bamako, Mali)
22 – Alexandros Samodurov, Jr., 6-11 225 (Evosmos, Greece)
25 – Maximo Adams, Fr., 6-7 220 (Los Angeles, Calif.)
30 – Malloy Smith, Fr., 6-5 180 (Encino, Calif.)
32 – Evan Smith, Sr., 6-1 200 (Charlotte, N.C.)
35 – Cade Bennerman, So., 7-0 205 (Nashville, Tenn.)
54 – Cameron Fens, Gr., 7-0 255 (Dubuque, Iowa)
99 – John Holbrook, Jr., 6-8 230 (Hickory, N.C.)
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