From the outside, things look like they're heating up in North Carolina and Michael Malone's pursuit of a new center. Everyone thought things were all wrapped up following the late addition of Alexandros Samodurov, but with the new 'five in five' rule and subsequent injunction changing things, the Tar Heels have been heavily linked to Cameron Fens, Duke Brennan, and Micah Handlogten.
While that's exciting, no one knows for sure how things are going to shape out here, and it also seems as though, for the time being, Malone might be in a bit of a holding pattern. That's because the NCAA has decided to appeal the ruling made by Judge Charlotte Sweeney in a federal court in Colorado that granted Class of 2022 athletes a fifth year of eligibility after the NCAA decided not to grandfather them into the new five-in-five rule. So, Malone is holding off on going all-in for those targets, as David Sisk reported in the latest episode of the Heel Report Podcast.
"It's clear as mud," Sisk said of where things stand for Class of 2022 players seeking a fifth year. "I've spoken to college coaches, I've spoken to other people who do what I do who are close to college coaches, and if you ask 10 college coaches, you'd get 10 different answers. If you ask 10 agents, you'd get 10 different answers.
"What does last Friday's ruling even mean? And now the NCAA appeals it. I understand it because from what I've taken from it, is that basically it was just a quick ruling. It goes to an appellate court this week, and hopefully there will be a decision by Friday. Nobody knows what the appellate court is going to rule."
UNC and Michael Malone could still add a transfer center, but everyone is waiting for a final five in five decision
Sisk went on to add that he knows of one ACC program that won't go after a fifth-year player because of the uncertainty. It should be noted that he didn't say it was North Carolina, but it's safe to assume that Malone, Chuck Martin, and others are left scratching their heads over how things might go down in the end.
So, all of this unquestionably leaves North Carolina in a tough spot. Say for conversation's sake that Fenz, Brennan, or Handlogten commits to the Tar Heels, and an NIL deal is agreed upon. What if 24-48 hours later, it's determined that 2022 signees, after a battle in court, won't be given that extra year of eligibility?
That would then throw everything out the window, and while UNC still has a roster spot open, none of those three center targets would be able to fill it. You never know; it could lead to Carolina going overseas again to see if there's a different big available, but as Sisk noted, things really are clear as mud, which is pretty darn frustrating.
In some good news, it looks like 5-star center commit Sayon Keita continues to take positive steps in getting his visa issues sorted out, but no one can deny the fact that Carolina still needs more help at center. That's where either Brennan, Fens or Handlogten can come into play, but until we get some actual clarity on the rule changes, UNC won't really be able to move forward with any negotiations with much confidence.
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