Why UNC fans shouldn't be worried that Matt Able is headed to the NBA Draft Combine

Matt Able was one of the biggest offseason additions for Michael Malone and the Tar Heels.

After one season at NC State, not only did Able enter the transfer portal but he also put his name into the 2026 NBA Draft.

While the belief all along was that Able was doing this to gain some quality feedback before returning to the college ranks, has the latest development raised the level of concern that he might not actually get to Chapel Hill this summer?

Matt Able invited to the 2026 NBA Draft Combine

Able, along with both Henri Veesaar and Caleb Wilson, have been invited to compete in the AWS NBA Draft Combine. This year's event is scheduled to take place from May 10-17 at the Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.

Let's clarify: no one should be surprised that Able was invited to participate. In fact, this really doesn't change much in regard to his stance on his future. The plan all along has been to test the waters and see what NBA scouts have to say to help him improve his game in hopes of playing in the NBA in the near future.

Now, if he performs well during the event and captures the attention of NBA scouts, then we might have something more to worry about, as there's always the possibility that his mind could change based on the feedback he garners.

While no one is rooting against the UNC basketball transfer commit, it would be a huge blow to the Tar Heels' offseason plans if Able ends up keeping his name in the 2026 NBA Draft class.

There will be a few players Tar Heel fans will be keeping tabs on during this week, including both Wilson and Veesaar. It's safe to say that everyone will be paying close attention to Able as well, hoping that the current plan remains status quo.

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