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Potential UNC targets at center or forward in college basketball transfer portal – Tar Heels Wire

Published

2 months ago

July 14, 2024

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The options in the college basketball transfer portal are starting to dwindle for the North Carolina Tar Heels. With three starters needing to be replaced including a forward and a center, the Tar Heels have missed out on some big talent.
They watched as Jonas Aidoo committed to Arkansas. Then Clifford Omoruyi picked Alabama over three others, including the Tar Heels. The latest miss was Adou Thiero reuniting with John Calipari at Arkansas.
The bottom line is the Tar Heels are running out of options at power forward and center, two spots they would like to address. Yes, the Tar Heels have Jalen Washington and Jae’Lyn Withers returning, plus they welcome James Brown as part of the 2024 class.
But Hubert Davis and his staff have signaled they want to add to the roster through the portal with the interest shown in prospects. With the misses, they will turn their attention to other targets, and we have a few in mind.
Here are five centers or forwards that could make sense for the Tar Heels moving forward in the transfer portal.

March 15, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee; Kentucky Wildcats forward Ugonna Onyenso (33) slams the ball against the Texas A&M Aggies during the first half at Bridgestone Arena. Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Another former Kentucky player as a target for the Tar Heels? It would make sense. The 7-foot sophomore out of Nigeria had just 3.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season for the Wildcats, but he is still raw and developing.
He would be a huge boost to the Tar Heels lineup at center especially with his defense, averaging 2.8 blocks per game on the defensive end.

March 22, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee; New Mexico Lobos forward JT Toppin (15) shoots against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the NCAA Tournament first round at FedExForum. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
JT Toppin isn’t a center, but the 6-foot-9 forward has enough height to play the four and allow Jalen Washington to slot in at center. It would make some sense, having two big men at the 4 and the 5 spot. Toppin averaged 12.4 points, 9.1 rebounds per game and shot 62.3% from the field.
Toppin is testing the NBA draft waters.

March 21, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah; Samford Bulldogs forward Achor Achor (14) reacts after a play during the second half in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament against the Kansas Jayhawks at Vivint Smart Home Arena-Delta Center. Gabriel Mayberry-USA TODAY Sports
North Carolina has yet to get involved with the Samford product, but that could change very soon. The 6-foot-9 forward is coming off a big season, averaging 16.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game for Samford.
He’s drawing interest from other big programs, but if UNC comes calling, would he entertain that possibility?

March 24, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana; Utah State Aggies forward Great Osobor (1) reacts during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Gainbridge FieldHouse. Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
He’s not only one of the top centers left in the portal, but one of the top available players in the portal overall. Great Osobor would be an ideal target for North Carolina, although it has not yet shown interest.
If it does show interest at any point, it would make sense for both sides. But it might be too late at this point for the Tar Heels.
Osobor averaged 17.7 points and 9 rebounds last season.

Vanderbilt forward Ven-Allen Lubin (2) leaps for a rebound next to Georgia center Russel Tchewa (54) during the first half at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tennessee, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024.
A last-minute addition to the transfer portal, Ven-Allen Lubin has played at Norte Dame and Vanderbilt in his career. He’s looking for a new home, and North Carolina could be a good fit for the 6-foot-8 forward.
In 2023-24, he averaged 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds for Vanderbilt.
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