In April, Michael Malone was named the head coach of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill men's basketball program, and his first order of business was to overhaul the team's backcourt.
A Strategic Overhaul for the Tar Heels
Malone’s plan centered on acquiring three transfers—Neo Avdalas from Virginia Tech, Terrence Brown from the University of Utah, and Matt Able from North Carolina State—to inject size, scoring and defensive versatility into the guard positions.
The returning duo of Jaydon Young and Isaiah Denis, who had entered the transfer portal earlier, decided to remain with the Tar Heels, giving Malone experienced depth and continuity at the point.
Together, Avdalas, Brown and Able form a backcourt that analysts have labeled one of the most dynamic and exciting in college basketball, with Avdalas offering a 6‑foot‑9 playmaking presence, Brown leading the charge with a 19.9‑point scoring average and top‑15 usage rate, and Able providing elite shooting, defense and playmaking off the bench.
Coach Malone repeatedly highlighted the hard work and evident improvement of the three newcomers during their early commitments, expressing confidence that their collective effort will translate into a strong 2026‑27 campaign for the Tar Heels.