UNC's Malone Builds Contender with Transfer Portal Stars

0:00On April 29th, New Coach Michael Malone is off to a hot-star building North Carolina's roster through the transfer portal for the 2026, 27 season. They've snagged a star-point guard in Terrence Brown from Utah, who drops 19.9 points in 3.8 assists last year. Added guards like Matt Able from NC State and forwards Neoclis Abdallas from Virginia Tech, plus returning stud Jaren Stevenson. Top it off with 7-foot freshman center Saoan Kieta from Spain beating out Duke and Kansas. Earlier this week, projections drop for their opening lineup. Brown runs point, Able's Able's shooting guard, Abdallas at small forward, Stevenson at power forward, and Kieta holding down center. Abdallas brings that versatile playmaking vibe, averaging 12 points in 4 assists, while Stevenson locked in 8 points in 4 boards in all. 33 games last season. Fans are buzzing about this core, snapping back the tar heels to contender status after some

1:01lean years. Kieta's got that international pedigree from Barcelona's youth squads, dropping double doubles in big tournaments like the next gen finals. Able's ACC numbers show he can step up big time off the bench into a starter role. They still hunting one more back court piece and a true starting big to replace the guy who left, reserves like Blue Chip Freshman, Maximo Adams, who balled out as California's top high school player, plus transfers Kade Benjamin and Maxim Log. Add solid depth. Malone Squad looks primed to run the floor with length and skill, but watch for those final ads to lock in the rotation before tip-off.