A New Coaching Era
The University of North Carolina has released its 2026‑27 men’s basketball roster, a 16‑player lineup that blends five returning seniors with a wave of fresh talent.
Head coach Michael Malone, who spent 25 years in the NBA before joining the Tar Heels, inherits a squad that went 24‑9 last season and earned a No. 6 seed in the South Region.
Among the returnees are seniors Jarin Stevenson, Jaydon Young and Evan Smith, along with juniors John Holbrook and sophomore Isaiah Denis, all of whom contributed to the previous season’s success.
A Mix of Experience and Fresh Faces
The newcomers include four freshmen from Los Angeles, Mali, Encino, California, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, six transfers from across the country, and an international player, Alexandros Samodurov, who previously starred for Panathinaikos in Athens, Greece.
Malone’s recruiting haul also features transfers such as graduate student Angelo Brizzi from Buffalo and Cameron Fens from South Dakota, as well as senior Terrence Brown from Utah.
The roster also welcomes sophomores Matt Able from NC State, Neo Avdalas from Virginia Tech, and Cade Bennerman from Northwestern, rounding out a diverse mix of talent.
Contract Talks and Royal Endorsement
Malone’s path to Chapel Hill was not straightforward; he turned down three contract proposals before accepting the role, citing a CBS Sports quote about an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams played a pivotal part in the decision, leveraging his deep connection to the university to persuade Malone to take the job.
The team’s preseason schedule opens with a matchup against Southern California on October 9 at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, followed by the inaugural Tobacco Road Classic against NC State on December 15 at the same venue.