UNC Releases 2026-27 Men’s Basketball Roster: A New Era Under Michael Malone Begins
The Tar Heels’ roster for the 2026-27 season is officially set, featuring 11 newcomers as the Michael Malone era gets underway in Chapel Hill.
The University of North Carolina men’s basketball program has released its roster for the upcoming season, ushering in a new era with head coach Michael Malone at the helm. After a whirlwind offseason that saw the departure of key NBA talent and the arrival of a new coaching staff, the Tar Heels’ 2026-27 squad has taken shape. It is a roster defined by a significant overhaul, featuring 11 newcomers—a blend of high-profile transfers, international prospects, and talented freshmen.
According to Malone, the roster is complete. “Our roster is set for this coming season. We’re excited about that and we think we have a really good mix of returning players, some young freshmen coming in, as well as some transfer portal players, as well as some players from overseas,” Malone told reporters recently . This new-look team faces the monumental task of replacing two of the most productive frontcourt players in program history.
A Roster in Transition
The 2026-27 Tar Heels will look vastly different from the team that took the court last season. The most significant departures are star forward Caleb Wilson and center Henri Veesaar, who were both selected in the 2026 NBA Draft . Together, they formed one of the most formidable frontcourts in the nation, becoming the first UNC teammates to average at least 16 points and 9 rebounds per game since the 1959-60 season . The program also lost defensive ace Seth Trimble .
In their place, Malone, who spent years as an NBA head coach, has constructed a roster that leans heavily on experience from the transfer portal and international talent. The Tar Heels have the No. 8-ranked transfer portal class in the nation, headlined by a trio of guards expected to make an immediate impact .
The Projected Starting Lineup
While Malone has yet to confirm an official starting five, analysts project a potent and versatile backcourt to lead the team.
Guard: Terrence Brown
The senior transfer from Utah is expected to be the engine of the offense. Brown, a 6-foot-3 combo guard, is coming off a season where he averaged an impressive 19.9 points and 3.8 assists per game for the Utes . He is known as a shifty, athletic scorer who can create his own shot, and his scoring volume will be crucial for the Tar Heels . “Terrence can just go rock, go score and be a secondary ball handler,” one analyst noted . Brown began his career at Fairleigh Dickinson, where he also averaged over 20 points per game, proving his scoring prowess at multiple levels .
Guard: Matt Able
Able is a rare Tobacco Road transfer, joining UNC from rival NC State. He is a 6-foot-5 sophomore who averaged 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds for the Wolfpack last season . Able originally declared for the NBA Draft but withdrew to enroll at UNC, and he is considered by some to be the team’s best NBA prospect with potential first-round upside . His primary contribution will be his 3-point shooting; he shot 35.5% from beyond the arc for NC State and has the potential to be the floor spacer this new lineup needs .
Guard: Neoklis Avdalas
The 6-foot-9 Greek guard brings a unique “point-forward” archetype to the lineup. As a freshman at Virginia Tech, Avdalas averaged 12.1 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.1 rebounds, showcasing his high-level playmaking ability at an exceptional size . While his efficiency was a question mark at times (shooting 38.6% from the floor), his size and vision provide a difficult matchup for opponents. He will likely be the team’s primary facilitator and has shown flashes of first-round NBA talent .
Forward: Jarin Stevenson
Stevenson is one of the few true returners on the roster. The 6-foot-10 senior is set to be a leader and a key veteran presence. He started 25 games for the Tar Heels last season, averaging 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds . Over the final stretch of his junior year, he showed significant improvement, averaging 10.7 points on 51.4% shooting, and his leadership will be critical for a team full of new faces . He is projected to start at the power forward position.
Center: Cameron Fens
The starting center position appears to be the most significant question mark, with Fens and freshman Sayon Keita as the primary contenders. Fens, a 7-foot, 255-pound senior transfer from South Dakota, was a late addition to the roster . He was granted a fifth year of eligibility due to a recent court ruling . He brings much-needed size and physicality to the Tar Heels’ frontcourt. He averaged an impressive 14.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game last season, leading his conference in double-doubles .
The Frontcourt Question Mark
Beyond Stevenson, the forward and center positions are the subject of much debate and are crucial to the team’s success. The Tar Heels are replacing the irreplaceable production of Wilson and Veesaar, and the new faces will be tasked with filling that void.
Sayon Keita, a 7-foot, 215-pound five-star prospect from Spain, is a potential NBA Draft name to know for 2027 . The 18-year-old from Mali has elite length, rim protection, and rebounding potential . However, he is still a raw talent and may not be college-ready to start immediately . His late arrival from overseas could also be a factor in his ability to earn a starting spot right away .
Alexandros Samodurov is another international frontcourt piece. The 6-foot-11 Greek big man is expected to be an important part of the rotation. He has previous professional experience with Panathinaikos in Greece and averaged 17.6 points and 5.7 rebounds for the Greece U20 National Team in 2025 . He might be the most “starter-ready” option at center due to his experience and all-around skill set . Malone has confirmed that both Keita and Samodurov have arrived in Chapel Hill, are in class, and are participating in workouts .
Cade Bennerman, a 7-foot transfer from Northwestern who redshirted last season, and Angelo Brizzi, a veteran guard transfer from Buffalo, round out the scholarship players . Brizzi brings a wealth of experience, having played in 109 college games, and provides a reliable insurance policy in the backcourt .
The Newcomers and the Bench
The bench for the Tar Heels is expected to be deeper than last season’s. Four-star freshman Maximo Adams is a player to watch. The 6-foot-7 forward is described as an “exceptional” mid-range shooter and could carve out a significant role as a sixth man or key reserve . He stayed true to his commitment to UNC despite the coaching change .
Other returning players, Isaiah Denis and Jaydon Young, are expected to provide valuable minutes in the backcourt . Incoming freshmen Kevin Thomas and Malloy Smith add further depth to the squad .
Outlook for the Season
The 2026-27 Tar Heels are something of an unknown quantity. With a new coach, an entirely new system, and a roster featuring 11 new players, it may take time for the team to find its chemistry. CBS Sports analyst Isaac Trotter noted that while Malone “should be an upgrade on the X’s and O’s and strategy front,” the roster “doesn’t scream ACC contender at the moment” .
However, the talent is undeniable. The backcourt trio of Brown, Able, and Avdalas is one of the most intriguing and versatile in the ACC. If the frontcourt can provide solid defense and rebounding, and if the newcomers gel quickly, the Tar Heels could surprise people. The roster construction is complete; now the task of building a winning team begins. The Tar Heels will open their season against Western Carolina on November 2 .
