The North Carolina Tar Heels announced former NBA head coach Michael Malone as the new head coach in Chapel Hill.
This hiring signaled a distinct change in approach.
Malone becomes the first UNC head basketball coach who does not have direct ties to Chapel Hill since Frank McGuire in 1952.
Dean Smith took over after a stint as a UNC assistant.
According to On3, North Carolina has seven players either in the transfer portal or expected to enter the transfer portal.
Guard Kyan Evans is officially in the portal currently.
Zayden High, James Brown, Jonathan Powell, Derek Dixon, Jaydon Young and Isaiah Denis are all expected to enter the portal but haven't yet.
North Carolina Tar Heels basketball transfer portal live updates
North Carolina additions
StatusNamePosRatingLast TeamNew TeamSigned Neo AvdalasG96.40Virginia Tech UNC
North Carolina transfers
StatusNamePosRatingLast TeamNew TeamExpectedZayden HighPF94.49UNCExpectedDerek DixonG93.69UNCArizonaExpectedIsaiah DenisG93.34UNCExpectedJames BrownPF93.09UNCExpectedJonathan PowellSG90.00UNCPittExpectedJaydon YoungG85.50UNCWithdrawnEnteredKyan EvansPGN/AUNCEnteredLuka BogavacGN/A UNC
North Carolina transfer news:
April 13
Caleb Wilson has officially announced he is leaving for the NBA in a "Thank You Chapel Hill" video posted by Caleb Wilson himself.
Thank you CHAPEL HILL🩵 pic.twitter.com/Yd4u8ZVM19
— Caleb Wilson (@CalebWilson2025) April 13, 2026
April 13
Virginia Tech point guard Neo Avdalas is heading to North Carolina to play for Michael Malone, according to Field of 68's Jeff Goodman.
"The 6-9 native of Greece averaged 12.1 points and 4.6 assists this past season while shooting 31% from 3."
April 12
UNC transfer Derek Dixon is officially committed Arizona according to On3.
April 11
Jonathan Powell has committed to Pitt, according to On3
Luka Bogavac entered the transfer portal
April 10
Michael Malone and his staff have retained a player in the portal.
According to On3 Jaydon Young will withdraw his name from the transfer portal and remain with North Carolina.
April 7
- Kyan Evans has entered the transfer portal
- Zayden High plans to enter the transfer portal
- James Brown plans to enter the transfer portal
April 6
- Jonathan Powell plans to enter the transfer portal
- Derek Dixon plans to enter the transfer portal
- Jaydon Young plans to enter the transfer portal
April 5
- Isaiah Denis plans to enter the transfer portal
UNC transfer portal rumors:
April 14
Malloy Smith is expected to sign with Michael Malone and UNC on Wednesday, according to Inside Carolina.
He's the son of NBA champion and Tar Heel alum Kenny Smith.
Isaiah Denis entered the transfer portal, but might have a change of heart.
There is a good possibility of Denis pulling his name out of the portal and returning to UNC, according to On3.
April 14
NC State transfer guard Matt Able has UNC in his top-seven schools, according to On3.
The reported asking price for Wake Forest transfer Juke Harris is $3 million, according to On3's Pete Nakos.
The top portal guard took a visit with Michael Malone and his staff for brunch.
Memphis transfer Curtis Givens III is receiving interest from North Carolina, according to Sam Kayser.
UNC cuts ties with 5-star 2026 recruit Dylan Mingo.
The unexpected move come as Michael Malone and his staff tries to build a veteran roster through the transfer portal.
More: Why Michael Malone cut ties with 5-star recruit that shocked UNC fans
Wake Forest transfer Juke Harris had a crystal ball for Michigan, which has since been removed on his 247Sports' page.
The latest on what UNC gets from Neo Avdalas and the hire of Kim English, per Field of 68's Jeff Goodman.
"While Kim English certainly had some struggles at Providence, I think this is a good move for both him and Carolina"
Michael Malone is making size a priority.
Neo Avdalas and Jarin Stevenson right off the bat is huge to that effort.
North Carolina forward Jarin Stevenson will return to the Tar Heels next season, according to On3.
The 6-10 junior averaged 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game this season.
Utah transfer guard Terrance Brown was out on the court with Michael Malone this morning.
He was on a visit to campus.
North Carolina head coach Michael Malone is set to hire former Providence head coach Kim English, according to Field of 68's Jeff Goodman.
No doubt this will boost recruiting efforts.
MORE:Michael Malone adds head coach to UNC Tar Heels basketball staff
Virginia Tech guard Neoklis Avdalas now has 100% prediction to land at UNC, according to On3.
FOX Sports' Aaron Torres talks about how Michael Malone and UNC has done thus far in the transfer portal and what's next?
After meeting with UNC coaches on Sunday, Juke Harris says there is no timetable on his decision, according to Tony Garcia of The Detroit Free Press.
He’s looking for a “winning program.”
Virginia Tech guard Neoklis Avdalas is predicted to land at UNC, according to On3's Pete Nakos.
"The 6-foot-9 Greek guard is atop North Carolina’s target list and is a top priority for new head coach Michael Malone.
This battle appears to be down to the Tar Heels and St.
John’s"
April 12
UNC forward Jarin Stevenson hasn’t entered the transfer portal, but other schools have reportedly tried to poach him by "backchanneling to express interest and make significant financial offers," according to Inside Carolina.
The Alabama transfer averaged 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds last season.
Five names to watch for UNC are Alabama big Aiden Sherrell, Utah guard Terrence Brown, Arkansas forward Karter Knox, Virginia Tech wing Neoklis Avdalas, and Wake Forest wing Juke Harris, according to Inside Carolina.
New Mexico transfer guard Jake Hall is receiving interest from UNC, according to On3's Joe Tipton.
UNC has reached out to Houston freshman Isiah Harwell.
The former five-star was coming off the bench for Kelvin Sampson last year.
This could be big.
Head coach Michael Malone is scheduled to meet with Wake Forest PG and the No.
3 overall player in the portal, Juke Harris.
Harris was recently seen at the Michigan championship parade wearing Michigan gear head to toe.
Juke Harris out here getting lots of love from Michigan fans during his visit, which just so happens to coincide with the national championship celebration parade.
pic.twitter.com/9AQcT3fZUY
— Brandon Brown (@BSB_Wolverine) April 11, 2026
UNC has reached out to Santa Barbara PF Colin Smith.
Smith averaged 12 points and four rebounds per game last season.
McDonald's All American Maximo Adams says he's sticking with North Carolina.
"I had a great conversation with Coach Malone," according to 247Sports.
Utah transfer guard Terrence Brown will visit UNC's campus on Monday, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein via On3.
Brown is the 40th-ranked player in the NCAA transfer portal.
Notre Dame transfer Jalen Haralson has North Carolina in the top 3 teams, according to On3.
Monmouth transfer Jason Rivera-Torres is receiving interest from the following programs, he told LeagueRDY.
He is considering 21 programs, but North Carolina is towards the top of that list.
Jon Rothstein reported Virginia Tech transfer Neoklis Avdalas is drawing interest from eight teams.
North Carolina, Kentucky, Texas, Florida State, Michigan, Arkansas, St.
Johns and Oklahoma State.
Avdalas also does not plan on any visits to any of these schools.
Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 named six programs VCU guard Terrance Brown is considering.
North Carolina, Kentucky, USC, Kansas, Oregon and Ole Miss.
North Carolina is among a handful of teams showing interest in Santa Clara guard Christian Hammond according to Tar Heels Live.
He averaged 15.6 points per game last season.
In the days since Malone's hiring, there has been a "groundswell" of financial support to the program.
According to Inside Carolina's Sherrell McMillan, "many of the donors are non-traditional ones, we're told, as in they haven't or rarely contributed to men's basketball."
April 10
UNC recruit Dylan Mingo is taking his second visit to Chapel Hill this afternoon, according to Inside Carolina's Sherrell McMillan.
This comes at an interesting time when decisions for next year will be made via transfer portal.
Also, gives face time with Michael Malone and his staff.
A lesser known NCAA rule allows for a second visit for newly hired head coaches.
UNC is starting to get access to more resources since hiring Michael Malone, according to Inside Carolina's Sherrell McMillan.
This is a huge plus for battles in the transfer portal and hiring a staff.
"In the five days since Malone was announced as Carolina’s head coach, there’s been a groundswell of financial support to the program, sources told Inside Carolina.
There’s clearly excitement around Malone’s hire as many of the donors are non-traditional ones, we’re told, as in they haven’t or rarely contributed to men’s basketball."
Michael Malone and his UNC staff have reached out to five key players, according to SI.
Alabama's Aiden Sherrell, Utah's Terrence Brown, Santa Clara's Christian Hammond, Troy's Thomas Dowd and Arkansas' Karter Knox.
UNC assistant head coach Chuck Martin reached out to Alabama transfer Aiden Sherrell, according to Inside Carolina's Sherrell McMillan.
“When you have a brand like UNC call you, you can’t not listen,” Austin Sherrell (Aiden's brother) said.
“Aiden was one of the first people they called, and that shows to us that he’s a priority.
It shows that Aiden has to look at this situation seriously because of a guy like Malone.”
MORE:UNC and Duke fight for star SEC transfer in Michael Malone's first week
Miikka Muurinen and his commitment plans could change transfer portal plans for Michael Malone and UNC.
The five-star forward 6-foot-10, 185-pounder with the nickname "Slim Jesus" from Finland playing at AZ Compass Prep.
The Tar Heels are in the running with Duke, Michigan, Kentucky, Arkansas and others.
April 9
Michael Malone will keep three important assistants back, according to TarHeel247.
"Sean May, Pat Sullivan, and Eric Hoots, each of whom was on the staff for all five seasons of the Hubert Davis regime, are being retained by Malone, multiple sources have confirmed." All three should boost recruiting efforts.
Penn State guard Kayden Mingo has entered the transfer portal.
Kayden Mingo is current UNC commit Dylan Mingo's brother.
Both had previously discussed playing together in college.
Dylan was a candidate to flip his commitment following the firing of Hubert Davis.
If Malone can secure Kayden Mingo, Dylan flipping would seem much less likely.
April 8
Isaiah Denis entered the transfer portal at UNC but might be pulling his name out.
"Denis is scheduled to meet with the new UNC head coach, Michael Malone," according to On3
Utah guard Terrence Brown Jr (Utah) confirmed he has heard from 17 programs and North Carolina is one of them according to Tar Heels Wire.
UNC could potentially be a top 3 option for Brown.
Accoringing to Bleacher Report, the decision to hire Michael Malone over Billy Donovan was in some part influenced by recruiting ability and timetable.
The hesitation with Donovan centered around his desire to finish out the year with the Chicago Bulls, which would have dramatically impacted the Tar Heels' ability to secure transfer players.
It also would have impacted non transfer recruiting.
Wake Forest guard Juke Harris is currently the No.
1 overall player in On3’s Transfer Portal Rankings.
"The 6-foot-7 sophomore averaged 21.4 PPG this season.
NC State will be in the hunt for the North Carolina native, who’s expected to go through the NBA Draft process.
New Wolfpack head coach Justin Gainey recruited Harris while he was at Tennessee and built a strong relationship with him.
Another school that I believe could be a contender if they make a push is North Carolina.
Harris will be one of the most sought-after players in the portal."
The spring basketball transfer portal window opened on April 7 and will remain open until April 21.
More UNC basketball news:
- Hubert Davis releases statement after UNC firing
- Warning to UNC fans: Michael Malone doesn't want to 'Be Like Mike'
- Here's Coach K's unfiltered reaction to UNC hiring Michael Malone
- Why UNC hiring Michael Malone over Billy Donovan was a better fit
- UNC basketball is special but still not close to powerhouse
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Source: This article was originally published by Yahoo Sports
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