The Tar Heels roster is taking shape as portal season winds down. With just three scholarships remaining, who are the candidates that could impact next years team?
Reclassification Targets
Elliot Cadeau: The 2024 Point Guard is as dynamic as they come. Already committed to the Tar Heels, he is listed as the number 9 player in his class according to the 247Sports composite rankings. Cadeau is seen as the best passer in high school, regardless of class. Playing internationally for Sweden the guard has already made an appearance on their Senior National Team as a teenager. He is currently dominating the AAU ranks playing with the New Heights Lightning on the EYBL circuit. With little left to accomplish in high school, Cadeau could come in and challenge for a starting spot immediately.
Jarin Stevenson: Although uncommitted, North Carolina legacy recruit Jarin Stevenson is on the clock. Stevensons mother, Nicole, played for the Tar Heels from 1995 to 1998. The recruitment of the 6’10 Power Forward has become a bit foggy recently. Long seen as a North Carolina lean due to his ties with the University, the highly ranked forward has taken visits to Virginia, Georgetown, Missouri and most recently Alabama. Stevenson would likely come in and be on a two year plan where he could develop in practice and play spot minutes before becoming a starter for the 2024-2025 season.
Portal Targets
Where things become a bit harder to project is portal targets. With Stanford transfer Harrison Ingram likely starting at Power Forward, UNC still has a hole at the Small Forward position. If they are unable to find a serviceable 3, the Tar Heels will likely use a small lineup with Notre Dame transfer guard Cormac Ryan starting in this role.
The good news is, although the deadline to enter the portal for undergraduates is now closed, Graduate Transfers are still on the market. Just last Summer, Pete Nance made his move to North Carolina on July 18th. It is currently unknown if Hubert Davis is targeting anyone, whether it be a player who will withdraw from the NBA Draft process or a post-graduate player. The list below shows the top true Small Forwards who are both in the portal and uncommitted at this time.
True Small Forwards
Julian Phillips– Tennessee
Allen Flanigan– Auburn
David Jones– St. Johns
Other options
If needed, North Carolina could play Harrison Ingram in the Small Forward role and Hubert Davis could target a hybrid forward. There are plenty of guys in the portal that fit this mold.
Grant Nelson– North Dakota State
Arthur Kaluma– Creighton
Ven-Allen Lubin– Notre Dame
Lance Ware– Kentucky
Olivier Nkamhoua– Tennessee
The countdown is on for North Carolina to find the missing pieces. It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff goes about creating the roster in hopes of a bounce back 2023-2024 campaign.
