The college basketball transfer portal closed Wednesday, leaving players with no option to leave their current schools and immediately play elsewhere.
After losing to Alabama in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, UNC Basketball had two players enter the transfer portal, James Okonkwo and Seth Trimble, before the May 1 deadline.
Trimble then decided to remove his name from the portal and return to Chapel Hill. As of Wednesday, Cade Tyson, transferred from Belmont, is the only addition from the transfer portal.
Other players could join the Tar Heels as spring turns to summer.
Hubert Davis, entering his fourth season as head coach, currently has three scholarships remaining to fill out the roster. Star guard RJ Davis, who announced his return Wednesday, leads a group that should be among the contenders for the 2025 national championship.
With the transfer portal closing, here are five thoughts on the current state of UNC Basketball's 2024-25 roster and what's next for the Tar Heels.
RJ Davis, Ian Jackson, Elliott Caddo join the group of UNC guards.
UNC will regain ACC Player of the Year honors in fifth-year senior RJ Davis and sophomore Elliott Cado, one of the league's top facilitators. In addition to this combination of likely starters, junior Seth Trimble returns and the Tar Heels will be joined by five-star freshman Ian Jackson. UNC has one of the best backcourts in the nation, a group that will help keep the program at the top of the ACC and advance in the NCAA Tournament.
Seth Trimble returns as UNC's best athlete and defender
Sometimes the best additions are the ones that stick around. Trimble's return gives the Tar Heels an elite athlete and reliable defender. After an inconsistent freshman season, Trimble developed into UNC's top reserve as a sophomore. He averaged 17.1 minutes, 5.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game last season. He also improved as a shooter, making 41.9% of his shots from outside the basket and often guarding opposing teams' top guards.
Drake Powell's defense will get him on the court
Ian Jackson's speed, playmaking, and scoring ability make him an ideal addition to UNC's offense. But fellow freshman Drake Powell's athleticism and length should help the Tar Heels maintain the momentum they gained last season as one of the nation's best defensive teams. As the 6-foot-6 wing's offense continues to evolve, his defensive attributes should earn him more playing time.
Will Hubert Davis bet on a boost from Jalen Washington, Jaelin Withers?
Even if Hubert Davis adds another frontcourt player from the portal, the head coach will hire junior Jaylen to provide more production to fill the holes left by Harrison Ingram and Armando Bacot. – Will need Washington and fifth-year senior Jaelyn Withers. The Wizards averaged 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 12.4 minutes, while Washington averaged 3.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in 8.4 minutes. For UNC to remain a top-10 team, Washington and the Wizards will need to make strides.
The Tar Heels added Cade Tyson, but what's next out of the transfer portal?
After losing two of their top 3-point shooters in Ingram and Cormac Ryan, the Tar Heels added Cade Tyson, who was transferred from Belmont through the transfer portal. Tyson ranks 15th in the nation with a 46.5% 3-point percentage and played in 21 games with multiple treys last season. The 6-foot-7 wing gives UNC another scoring option and a reliable rebounder, but the Heels still need a big man.
Cliff Omoyuri, a transfer from Rutgers, and Adu Tiello, a transfer from Kentucky, are reportedly among the Tar Heels' top targets. Omoyuri's rebounding and shot blocking ability will immediately strengthen UNC's defense. Tierro is a little smaller, but he showed flashes of talent as a scorer, rebounder and defender for the Wildcats.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at:rbaxley@fayobserver.com Or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.