With the commitment of Sayon Keita, the UNC basketball program's projected starting unit looks a lot more clear than it did even at the start of the week.
Following Henri Veesaar's departure, fans anxiously waited to see how Michael Malone and the Tar Heels would fill the void. While the roster still has some room for additional resources, the core seems to be pretty solidly intact at this point.
As expected (given that not many players returned from last year's squad), the team's starting lineup will look very different from a season ago. However, there's a reloading process occurring, as Malone's first Tar Heels squad has the pieces it needs to be a serious contender.
Here's an early look at the Tar Heels' projected 2026-2027 starting lineup:
Brown was one of the UNC basketball program's big-time additions this offseason, as the senior guard brings his talents to Chapel Hill and looks to bring his elite scoring ability with him.
From starting his career at Fairleigh Dickinson to making his way to Utah, Brown brings a vast amount of experience to the table and should be able to continue improving in his final collegiate season. All North Carolina hopes is that he can continue to do what he does best: attack the paint, get to the foul line, and create opportunities for his teammates to thrive.
After spending a season in Raleigh, Able is trading in his red uniform for a much nicer Carolina Blue one.
A 6-foot-6 rising sophomore, Able possesses a skill set that is absolutely coveted by coaches around the country. He is an elite three-point shooter, as he put that well on display during his lone season in Raleigh, a year in which he connected on over 37% of his shots from beyond the arc.
Able is going through the NBA Draft process this year, with the intent of returning to the college ranks at least for another season. It wouldn't be shocking to see him fully leaving the college level a year from now, as a strong season in Chapel Hill will have NBA executives dreaming of adding him to their future roster.
The first addition of the Michael Malone era, Avdalas is built like a forward but has elite point-guard skills.
Expect the ball to be in his hands a lot this upcoming season!
Avdalas is a guy who can attack the basket and finish strong at the rim. If he's not scoring, he's facilitating for his teammates, as he averaged 4.6 assists per game and could definitely increase that number with a better supporting cast.
In Malone's system, one that relies heavily on players making the right reads to generate open looks. Avdalas certainly fits that bill, given that he has elite playmaking ability, especially for a player of his size. It will be very interesting to see how Avdalas is utilized, especially in pick-and-roll situations.
Stevenson was one of the players from last year's team that fans desperately wanted to return for another season.
The Chapel Hill, North Carolina native transferred to UNC prior to last season after spending his first two collegiate seasons at Alabama. His homecoming was one that paid major dividends, as he provided a little bit of everything for last year's team.
Whether the Tar Heels needed a basket or simply needed a stop on the other end, Stevenson was that "glue guy" who got the job done. Now, heading into his senior year, Stevenson should acquire a much larger role on this year's squad, as he'll serve as the key leader to help show the newcomers what it means to play for the University of North Carolina.
From the minute he committed, you could've penciled him in as the Tar Heels' starting center.
Michael Malone went to Spain to get his guy, a mission he accomplished. Now, one of the best international talents will come to Chapel Hill in hopes of making his mark in the post, providing just what the Tar Heels need from their center:
Elite finishing at the rim
Running the floor at an extremely high level
Serving as an elite shot blocker in the paint
If Keita can provide that, this team's ceiling will be that much higher than it was before he committed to the program.
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