UNC Tar Heels Basketball transfer portal tracker live updates, news on commits, departures from the program
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UNC Tar Heels Basketball transfer portal tracker live updates, news on commits, departures from the program originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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 transfers
| Status | Name | Pos | Rating | Last Team | New Team | |
| Expected | Zayden High | PF | 94.49 | UNC | ||
| Expected | Derek Dixon | G | 93.69 | UNC | ||
| Expected | Isaiah Denis | G | 93.34 | UNC | ||
| Expected | James Brown | PF | 93.09 | UNC | ||
| Expected | Jonathan Powell | SG | 90.00 | UNC | ||
| Expected | Jaydon Young | G | 85.50 | UNC | ||
| Entered | Kyan Evans | PG | No Rating | UNC |
North Carolina transfer news:
April 7, 2026
- 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, 2026
- 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, 2026
- Isaiah Denis plans to enter the transfer portal
UNC transfer portal rumors:
April 10
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.”
April 10
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.
April 9
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.
April 7
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."
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.
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
