There are still some moving pieces for UNC and Michael Malone, but one of the biggest question marks centers around the status of NC State transfer Matt Able. Will he stay or will he go? No one knows for sure, as Able continues to build some hype around his name due to what he was able to get done at the NBA Draft Combine.
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Because of that, there's serious worry that Able could jump to the pros instead of playing in the ACC next season. One way or the other, the clock is ticking for the sharpshooter to let everyone know what he's going to do. That's right, once May 27 gets here, Able will have until 11:59 p.m. ET to make his final call. Could a decision come before that?
Matt Able has until May 27 to inform UNC of his plans for next season
As of this writing, there are officially less than 10 days until said final decision will come in for Able and the rest of the playmakers who are on the fence. The good news for North Carolina is that as strong as Able looked at the Combine, he's still very much predicted to be a second-round pick in the draft should he stay in.
Because of this, there appears to be plenty of optimism in Chapel Hill that Able will be ready to rock for Malone's debut campaign. And should that end up being the case, it's going to be major news, as Malone is hoping he can rely on Able to not only be an impact player for him, but also a key starter.
Coming out of high school, Able was a 5-star shooting guard prospect and while he didn't quite live up to the 2025 hype with the Wolfpack, there's no question whatsoever that he's loaded with potential and that he can bury shots from any location on the hardwood.
This is something the Carolina faithful want to see him showcase from start to finish next season. It truly could be a win-win for everyone involved if that happens. Able could boost his stock even more and become a sure-fire first-rounder, while Malone could count on him to help the Tar Heels push for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
With Malone targeting overseas players still -- cough cough Alexandros Samodurov -- even more help could be on the way for 2026-27. Obviously, Able's decision is going to have everyone talking one way or the other. With some anxiousness surrounding things, it's safe to say that May 27 can't get here soon enough.
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