Decision Time for Matt Able, Michael Malone on the Recruiting Trail, Kevin Thomas Commits
Plus: UNC Baseball downs State, Women's Lacrosse to Final Four, Kenan Stadium's 100th birthday, Makayla Paige wins ACC title, Jackie Briggs to Field Hockey HOF
The NBA Draft Combine is over, and it’s decision time for UNC shooting guard Matt Able. Plus, Michael Malone was on the recruiting trail handing out scholarship offers, 4-star wing Kevin Thomas committed to the Tar Heels, Baseball took the series over State, Women’s Lacrosse advanced to the Final Four, Kenan Stadium is getting a 100th-birthday makeover, and more. On to the updates…
🏀 UNC Basketball, Recruiting & Transfer Portal
Coaching Staff Updates
It’s been a busy week for Michael Malone and his UNC Basketball staff that saw some key additions this past week.
Former UNC forward and 2009 national champion Deon Thompson is joining the Tar Heels as a graduate assistant coach while he pursues his MBA at Kenan-Flagler Business School following a lengthy international playing career.
Former Providence assistant coach Bryan Tibaldi is joining Malone’s staff as a UNC assistant coach following a six-year assistant coaching stint in the NBA, most recently with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
And former UNC guard and 2017 national champion Brandon Robinson is joining the Carolina Basketball staff in a support role.
NBA Draft Combine
The NBA Draft Combine ended Sunday in Chicago with all eyes on Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar, and Matt Able.
Wilson measured 6'9.25 barefoot and 211 pounds, with a 7'0.25 wingspan and 9'0 standing reach. He posted a Max (Running) Vertical of 39.5” and a Standing (No-Step) Vertical of 34.5”, per Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.
Here are Henri Veesaar’s NBA Draft Combine measurements:
And just to make it official, there’s no chance Veesaar returns to school, according to Veesaar himself:
“I feel like it's just the right thing to do, basketball wise. Going to the NBA, it's gonna help me develop more, get better basketball quicker, better than staying in college.”
Incoming UNC shooting guard transfer Matt Able also had a strong showing at the NBA Draft Combine and spoke like someone who hasn’t completely decided on remaining in the Draft or not, telling ESPN’s Jeff Borzello:
“It’s definitely a tough decision. I love UNC, I’m excited to get over there at some point … I’m still back and forth on it. I gotta think about it some more, get with my camp and figure it out.“
Able has another week and a half to “figure it out,” as the withdrawal deadline for college players exploring the NBA Draft is Wednesday, May 27.
Recruiting Updates
On Wednesday, the Tar Heels landed a commitment from class of 2026 small forward Kevin Thomas. The 4-star former LSU commit already boasts deep connections to UNC Basketball:
Legendary Tar Heel guard Kenny Smith founded the Jet Academy, where Thomas played for several years.
Smith’s son K.J. Smith played at UNC from 2017-21 and is Thomas’ agent.
Kenny’s other son, Malloy Smith, committed to the Tar Heels in March.
And UNC transfer wing Matt Able played with Thomas at Sagemont Prep where they won a state title together.
Coach Malone then headed to the Memphis EYBL event with assistants Sean May and Chuck Martin where they were front-and-center watching some of the nation’s top talent…and even handing out a scholarship or two. Here’s more on who they watched and who received offers…
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