While Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels hope that their season continues on for a few more weeks, there's no doubt that they are already keeping tabs on the transfer portal.
With the official opening of college basketball free agency just under three weeks away, Jim Tanner is already putting together a "wish list" for North Carolina to explore. Having a sense of what next year's team will need, UNC, like every other program in the country, is working toward balancing focusing on the present while also keeping the future in mind.
There's already a player who will enter the transfer portal that North Carolina would be very wise to keep an eye on, as the Tar Heels just might have a little advantage if they decide to pursue him this offseason.
Shooting is a premium
Stefan Vaaks took the Big East by storm this season, bursting onto the scene as a true freshman for Providence.
A 6-foot-7 guard/wing, Vaaks was one of the top shooters not only in the Big East but in the country as a whole. He averaged 15.2 points and 3.2 assists per game, showcasing legitimate NBA range in his first season at the collegiate level. His 91 three-pointers ranked fourth all-time in a single season in Providence history, as he knocked down 35% of the shots he took from beyond the arc.
Top player in the portal, a 6-foot-7 guard with NBA range, hails from Estonia and played pro ball in Henri Veesaar's hometown... 🤔
— Grant Hughes (@GrantHughesNC) March 18, 2026
Mentioned Veesaar in his transfer portal strategy.
Set a Big East Tournament record with eight 3's (8/13) last week.https://t.co/E4m1edI2LZ
Vaaks absolutely tore it up in the Big East Tournament, knocking down 13 three-pointers in two games. His best outing came against Butler, a game in which he scored 28 points and knocked down eight triples, a skillset that will make him a very high commodity on the transfer portal market.
A Estonia to Chapel Hill Pipeline?
North Carolina had a lot of luck bringing in an Estonia native last offseason.
Henri Veesaar is one of the best transfer portal additions in the country, and his success in Chapel Hill could play a role in Vaaks' recruitment.
Coming from the same area, Vaaks might use Veesaar as a resource as he mulls over his options. Similar to how Caleb Love helped Veesaar last year, he might return the favor by helping the Tar Heels bring in another international standout, and might just be willing to stick around to be his teammate for a season depending on what his NBA value is determined to be.
Sure, a lot of factors will play into Vaaks' decision, especially in regard to what programs pursue him. However, if the Tar Heels jump into the mix, they might just be able to offer everything he is looking for in his new home, and might have the perfect guy to help recruit him to Chapel Hill on the current roster.