Outside of the NBA and NHL playoffs, arguably the biggest talking point in sports right now is the transfer portal.
Many people describe the transfer portal as free agency for college sports. With all the money involved in the NIL right now, I don’t disagree.
THE UNC Men’s Basketball Program is one of several teams active in the transfer portal. North Carolina landed Belmont transfer Cade Tyson, their top and only arrival so far, but is hoping to get a veteran center back after missing out on top targets.
The Tar Heels — and everyone else in college basketball — got some good news last week.
On Thursday, the NCAA approved a waiver for allow schools to conduct an unlimited number of basketball visits.
News: The NCAA has approved a blanket waiver to allow schools an unlimited number of official visits in men’s and women’s basketball, effective immediately, according to a memo obtained by @TheAthletic.
This was recommended by the MBB and WBB oversight committees due to the transfer environment.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) May 9, 2024
North Carolina has had some luck so far in the transfer portal this year, in terms of players coming out, because James Okonkwo is the only former Tar Heel to transfer.
With this rule, UNC can visit virtually any transfer portal it targets this year. The Tar Heels were recently linked to the Illinois big man Coleman Hawkins – I expect North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis to visit him or bring him to Chapel Hill.
Next year could be interesting for UNC, however, as RJ Davis and Jae’Lyn Withers will no longer be eligible.
Davis will have to scramble to recruit. Thanks to the NCAA’s waiver, which expires July 31, 2025, recruiting becomes much easier.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, scores and opinions.
