North Carolina did not live up to expectations this season. After sneaking into the NCAA Tournament, the main argument against North Carolina came true: its inability to beat top-tier opponents. Hubert Davis kept his job, but there will be roster changes coming. Elliot Cadeau, their starting point guard, entered the transfer portal after drawing the ire of fans throughout the season. Jalen Washington, a big man who was supposed to fill in better at the 4/5 spot, also entered the transfer portal. With losing starts like RJ Davis to graduation, with Ian Jackson and Drake Powell potentially entering the draft, what kind of players should North Carolina target in the transfer portal in 2025?
What North Carolina Should Target in 2025 Transfer Portal
An Elite Shooter (or two)
The Hubert Davis cycle is an interesting one. In his first year, they had an elite shooter in Brady Manek, who helped spread the floor with his three-point abilities (2.5 made threes per game at 40%). He fit in perfectly with the eccentric guards Caleb Love and RJ Davis. North Carolina reached the National Championship. The next year, they never recruited an elite shooter and missed the NCAA Tournament. Needing elite shooting, they recruited Cormac Ryan. Similarly, Ryan helped space the floor, this time without Caleb Love, and North Carolina was a one-seed and made the Sweet Sixteen. This past year, they never recruited an elite shooter and snuck into the First Four, only to lose in the round of 64.
Based on the cycle of needs, North Carolina will recruit an elite shooter in the 2025 transfer portal. The most obvious name is Isaac McKneely, the sharpshooter from Virginia. McKneely shot 42% from three and made 3.2 made threes per game. He would bring so much spacing (and defense) that the Tar Heels desperately need. Adding a forward who can space the floor would also be ideal for UNC. I would look at a player like Nick Davidson from Nevada. He is 6-foot-8 and averaged 15.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 37.1% from three. Davidson didn’t live outside, but he can provide more spacing. Jae’lyn Withers showed how dynamic this offense could be with a forward who can shoot.
A Stat-stuffing Big Man
Ven-Allen Lubin is solid but this team thrived with a center who could stuff the stat sheets like Armando Bacot. Lubin hustles and does small things right, but he doesn’t provide the interior presence on the other side of the court to push this team to the next level. Only averaging 5.5 rebounds per game as a center is too low. It especially didn’t work because North Carolina often played with four guards.
North Carolina needs to target a center in the 2025 transfer portal. Here’s a name you probably haven’t heard much: Oscar Cluff. The South Dakota State transfer has certainly been under the radar, but he is exactly what the Tar Heels are looking for. Davidson is a center who could provide some shooting, but he doesn’t have the same size or big-man mentality. At 6-foot-11, Cluff averaged 17.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game in 2024-25. He shot 4-6 from three this season, so he showed an ability to shoot if needed. However, his rebounding would make a huge difference for the Tar Heels.
A Shot-making Guard/Point Guard
I bunched these two together because of the roster questions moving forward. If Jackson and Powell leave this offseason, they will need a shot-making guard or two to fill in. However, they need a point guard who can handle the pressure and move the team forward. Georgia Tech transfer Naithan George led the ACC in assists in the 24-25 season. He will be a top target for the Tar Heels, along with Dayton transfer Malachi Smith.
This class is full of shot-making guards, so if North Carolina needs one, it will simply be a matter of having the money and tools to recruit one. Adrian Wooley from Kennesaw State is a freshman but could provide the Tar Heels with multiple years of elite play. Most teams in the country will recruit UNLV transfer Dedan Thomas Jr.. The Tar Heels could have more luck with a player like Dailyn Swain from Xavier. However, North Carolina’s 2025 transfer portal targets will need to wait for Jackson and Powell’s decision at this position.
Can North Carolina Get All These Transfers in 2025?
Realistically, no. The Tar Heels will have to choose wisely. They will be able to target some, but not all, of the players here. While they certainly have a big brand, only a dreamer would believe that every prospect would join their team. However, based on North Carolina’s success in the past, they need to recruit these three positions in the 2025 transfer portal. They may not get the big names, but they need to get names that fill in all the gaps. Otherwise, the Tar Heels may be in the same position in 2026.
Photo credit: © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
