Matt Able, a 6‑foot‑6 guard who impressed at the NBA Draft Combine, announced on Instagram that he will forgo the 2026 NBA Draft and instead commit to the University of North Carolina.
A Timely Announcement
His decision comes just days before the May 27 deadline to withdraw while preserving college eligibility, a move that underscores the urgency felt by prospects navigating the draft landscape.
At the combine he averaged 16 points and shot 50 % from three‑point range in two scrimmages, knocking down 7 of 14 attempts from beyond the arc.
Able’s freshman season at N.C. State delivered 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, with a 41.6 % field‑goal percentage and 35.5 % shooting from three‑point range, highlighted by a 19‑point performance against the Tar Heels in Raleigh.
He cited Michael Malone’s NBA pedigree and the coach’s work with players such as Nikola Jokić as decisive factors, emphasizing Malone’s ability to develop talent for the professional game.
A New Look for the Tar Heels
The Tar Heels’ backcourt will feature returning guards Jaydon Young and Isaiah Denis, complemented by portal additions Terrence Brown Jr. from Utah and Neoklis Avdalas from Virginia Tech, while incoming freshman Malloy Smith forms part of Malone’s first group of guards.
Mock drafts had projected Able as a second‑round pick, but his withdrawal reshapes the talent landscape for UNC, adding a proven scorer and shooter to a roster already brimming with potential.