While he isn't 100 percent done filling out things, what new UNC head coach Michael Malone has been able to get done this offseason in his short time in Chapel Hill has been spectacular. Malone was a surprise hire, but he's been putting in serious work on the recruiting trail and he now has the Tar Heels looking like a Top 20-25 squad.
A UNC basketball legend linked up with Caleb Wilson for iconic photo
The latest win was Alexandros Samodurov, with patience paying off for the Carolina faithful. He was the second overseas pledge at center for the Tar Heels, with 5-star playmaker Sayon Keita also on board. The hype for those two is quite high, but they're not the only ones people are excited about in terms of newcomers.
Let's break things down a bit. Here's who Malone has been able to reel in, with his recruiting efforts paying off in a big way:
• Samodurov
• Keita
• Utah transfer Terrence Brown
• Virginia Tech transfer Neoklis Avdalas
• NC State transfer Matt Able
• Northwestern transfer Cade Bennerman
• 5-star high school signee Maximo Adams
• 4-star high school signee Kevin Thomas
• 3-star high school signee Malloy Smith
Michael Malone has North Carolina looking like a Top 25 team despite big offseason losses
Those are just the new faces making their way to town too. Don't forget about the returns of Jarin Stevenson, Jaydon Young, Isaiah Denis and others. Stevenson is the only returner expected to be in the starting lineup, as he'll be joined by Brown, Avdalas, Samodurov and Able.
Keep in mind too that Carolina could still look for more help at guard, as something tells us Malone and his staff may have a last-minute trick up their sleeve. In terms of who's already fired up to make a splash at the Dean Dome next season, it's hard not to get excited about what Carolina has been able to get done here.
The experience is one thing, but also looking far and wide for talent overseas is also exciting. How about poaching two primetime players from ACC rivals too? Avdalas is coming off a strong year with Virginia Tech and he's quickly on his grind in Chapel Hill to get his mind and body ready for next season. We're excited to see what he can do.
Then there's of course Able, a former 5-star signee with the Wolfpack. UNC almost lost him to the NBA Draft, but he decided to pull his name out ahead of the deadline - we strongly believe that's going to be the right call for the youngster, as he'll work to become a first-round pick once next June gets here.
Add in the fellow transfers and the elite high school playmakers, and this roster really is looking pretty dang strong. There are of course going to be some growing pains once next season gets here, but plenty of us were ready to hit the panic button with Henri Veesaar and Caleb Wilson both off to the league. Despite that, Malone has worked wonders in reminding everyone that UNC will still be built to make noise in the ACC in 2026-27.
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