Henri Veesaar to NBA Draft, 3 UNC Basketball Commitments, New Transfer Targets
Plus: Spring Football visitors & NFL signings, Baseball blasts Duke, NCAA Track & Field record, ACC Women's Lacrosse champs, new UNC Softball home run queen
Henri Veesaar declared for the NBA Draft as UNC Basketball landed three transfer portal commitments. UNC Football hosted recruits and signed four players to NFL contracts. Baseball blasted Duke. The Tar Heels set a new NCAA Track & Field record, won the ACC Women’s Lacrosse Title, crowned a new home run queen, earned an ACC P.O.Y. honor and more. On to the updates…
🏀 Basketball, Recruiting & Transfer Portal
The transfer portal has closed, but there’s been plenty of movement as players already in the portal can still be recruited and signed. Last week, the UNC Basketball coaching staff added three players from the portal, lost Henri Veesaar to the NBA Draft, and now find themselves combing the portal and international market for Veesaar’s replacement.
Here’s the latest on who’s in, who’s out, and who could be still be added to the roster…
Who’s in?
North Carolina guard Isaiah Denis announced that he will remain with the Tar Heels for his sophomore season, mentioning that his faith and conversations with coach Michael Malone convinced him that UNC was “home.”
Former Utah guard Terrence Brown committed to UNC from the transfer portal, giving the Tar Heels an athletic point guard to run the show. Brown averaged 19.9 points per game last season as a junior for the Utes.
Former NC State shooting guard Matt Able will join Brown in the Tar Heels’ starting backcourt next season after committing to UNC last week. Able averaged 8.8 points per game last season as a freshman for the Wolfpack and has a high upside.
UNC’s frontcourt remains a work in progress, but FAU transfer Maxim Logue should help with depth at the position after committing to the Tar Heels. The 6-9, 232-pound power forward averaged 4.8 points and 3.1 rebounds for the Owls last season and sports a 7-foot-4 wingspan! He’s considered a developmental project with two seasons of eligibility and is expected to contribute as a shot blocker and rebounder.
Who’s out?
Henri Veesaar announced he is entering the NBA Draft with no intention of returning to college basketball. That’s unfortunate news for Tar Heel fans, but it makes sense from Veesaar’s perspective. He’s 22 years old (“old” by NBA rookie standards), this year is perceived to be a weaker draft class, and he doesn’t stand to improve his draft position with another season in college.
Although he might have made more money next season at UNC, it seems Veesaar was simply ready to move on and become a professional.
“Multiple schools tried to lure Henri Veesaar into the portal in the past few weeks by offering him at least $6 million, per multiple sources. UNC's NIL negotiations never approached that range, but the Heels definitely could've cleared $4 million had he opted to stay.“ — Matt Norlander
And while Veesaar is opting out of a season for which he is eligible, former UNC guard Seth Trimble is making himself available next season for which he’s currently ineligible by entering the transfer portal.
The reasoning is this: If the NCAA passes the proposed “5-for-5” rule allowing all college athletes five years to complete five seasons of eligibility, there’s a chance that athletes who just completed their fourth and final season of eligibility could receive an extra season. In Trimble’s case, he’s just making sure he’s available to UNC or any other school should the rule pass and apply to him.
Former UNC forward James Brown has found a new home after committing to the Howard Bison on Saturday. The Chicago native was a top-100 recruit in 2024 and joins a Howard program that has made the NCAA Tournament three of the last four years.
Who’s Next?
The Tar Heels are currently without a starting center, but there are several post players reportedly being pursued. Here are some frequently named targets:
Cade Bennerman is a 7-foot freshman center who entered the transfer portal after a redshirt season at Northwestern. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, he was a 3-star recruit.
Sayon Keita (Mali/Spain): A 7-foot center currently developing within the FC Barcelona system. The class of 2027 prospect, who could reclassify to 2026, is considered a “must-land” recruit for many, and 247Sports reports that UNC is in a “good spot” following his official visit to UNC last summer.
UNC recruiting target Seyon Keita | Photo: Solobasket.com Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje (Cameroon/Spain): Another class of 2027 7-footer from Barcelona’s youth ranks and the son of former NBA player Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje. He is a modern, mobile big man who emerged as a high-priority target after standout performances in Europe. He also could reclassify to 2026.
Alexandros Samodurov (Greece): A 21-year-old, 6’11” forward currently with Panathinaikos. He has strong indirect ties to the program as a long-time friend of new Tar Heel Neoklis Avdalas, with rumors suggesting the two have discussed playing together in college.
Brice Dessert (France): A 23-year-old, 6’11” center with Anadolu Efes (Turkey). UNC has shown interest in his rim-running and rebounding.
🏈 Football
The NFL Draft was held this past weekend, and for the first time since 2016, the Tar Heels did not produce a single draft pick despite hiring Bill Belichick to elevate UNC Football to the “NFL’s 33rd Team.” There were, however, several Tar Heels who signed free-agent deals following the draft:
Thad Dixon, CB, New York Giants
Marcus Allen, CB, Minnesota Vikings
Austin Blaske, OL, Los Angeles Rams
Chad Lindberg, OL, Los Angeles Rams
UNC Football concluded it second year of spring practice under coach Bill Belichick. There was no public spring game as in years past, but there was a closed scrimmage Friday night at Kenan Stadium with numerous recruits on hand. Here’s a list of recruits who visited UNC on Friday and over the past couple of weeks, according to their social media accounts:
2027 Confirmed Visitors
⭐⭐⭐⭐ TE Mason Oglesby (New Palestine, IN)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ CB Kamil Loud (Las Vegas, NV)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ DL John Archer (Fayetteville, NC
⭐⭐⭐ QB Brayden Santibanez (Collierville, TN)
⭐⭐⭐ QB William Wood (Westwood, MA)
⭐⭐⭐ RB Dorien Jones (Venice, FL)
⭐⭐⭐ OL Shavezz Dixon (Leesburg, GA)
CB Roman Edwards (McKinney, TX)
ATH Rodreon Cranford (Hartsville, SC)
OL Masen Tye Price (Orlando, FL)
2028 Confirmed Visitors
⭐⭐⭐⭐ DL Tory Clark (Atlanta, GA)
LB Isaiah Woodburn (Concord, NC)
CB Zion Dobson (Kernersville, NC)
CB Jaleek Parson (Greenville, NC)
S Mekhi McNair (Atco, NJ)
WR TJ Maddox (Atco, NJ)
QB Chandler Dyson (Warner Robins, GA)
QB James Armstrong (Aliquippa, PA)
OL Eytan D’oleo (Camden, NJ)
Finally, former All-ACC and NFL linebacker Kevin Reddick has been promoted to head football coach at Rolesville (NC) High School following a stint as the Rams’ defensive coordinator.
🏀 Women’s Basketball & Recruiting
It’s awards season, and UNC incoming freshman Kate Harpring received perhaps the biggest award of all this past week as she was presented with the Naismith High School Player of the Year trophy and All-America jersey
Laila Hull announced she will be returning to Courtney Banghart’s squad for her senior season. Hull was also named to the All-ACC Academic Team along with teammates Reniya Kelly, Taissa Queiroz, Blanca Thomas, and Ciera Toomey.
Freshmen Taliyah Henderson and Aliza Astakhova opted to hit the transfer portal. Henderson committed to Clemson for next season and Astakhova is headed to BYU.
⚾ Baseball
No. 2 UNC Baseball blasted Duke, 22-5, on Saturday in Durham to capture its seventh consecutive ACC series victory. Gavin Gallaher and Owen Hull combined to go 6-for-9 at the plate with 11 RBI to lead the Tar Heels.
“The 22 runs were their most since scoring 25 vs. Princeton on March 16, 2010, and their most vs. an ACC foe since scoring 23 vs. Maryland on April 16, 2000. UNC’s streak of seven straight ACC series wins is its longest in a season since going 10-for-10 in 2017,“ according to Pat James.
Finally, coach Scott Forbes has landed a commitment from class of 2027 right-handed pitcher/shortstop Harrison Corey from D.H. Conley High School in Greenville, NC. Corey is rated 8.5 out of 10 by Perfect Game.
🏅 Olympic Sports
🐏 The 2026 Rammy Awards were held last Sunday night honoring the top Tar Heel performers and moments from the past year. Caleb Wilson and Chloe Humphrey received the most outstanding male and female athlete awards, but be sure to check out the full list of winners. What a collection of amazing talent and memories!
🏃♂️ On the track, UNC set an NCAA Women’s Distance Medley Relay (DMR) record at the Penn Relays on Friday, running a combined 4,000 meters (2.48 miles) in 10:36.82 to break the record. Here’s the breakdown and video of the entire race:
1200m - Sydney Masciarelli - 3:16.35
400m - Delea Martins - 53.91
800m - Makayla Paige - 2:00.43
1600m - Vera Sjoberg - 4:26.15
🥍 No. 1 UNC Women’s Lacrosse claimed their second straight ACC Championship on Sunday, defeating Stanford 12-8 in the tournament finals. The Tar Heels were led by Tournament M.O.P. Chloe Humphrey’s four goals and Kate Levy’s hat trick.
🥍 Owen Duffy was named ACC Men’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Tar Heels to a thrilling 16-15 overtime victory last week at No. 11 Virginia.
🥎 Congratulations to UNC Softball’s new single-season home run queen, Emily LeGette, who blasted her Tar Heel record 25th home run of the season on Wednesday in a 16-14 loss to South Carolina. It was also the 93rd home run of the season for Carolina, which breaks the UNC record previously set in 2015.
🎾 Finally, defending NCAA singles champion Reese Brantmeier was named ACC Women’s Tennis Player of the Year for the second straight year as five Tar Heels were named to the All-ACC teams.
🎂 This Week’s Tar Heel Birthdays
Happy birthday shouts out to…
Kacey White, 2003 Women’s Soccer National Champion, 3x All-American: Apr. 27 (42)
Maggie Bill, 2015 Lacrosse All-American, 2016 NCAA Champion, USWNT: Apr. 28 (31)
Bud Carson, UNC Defensive Back, 40-year College/NFL Coaching Career: Apr. 28 (1930-2005)
Serge Zwikker, All-ACC Basketball Center: Apr. 28 (51)
Dick Crum, 1980 ACC Football Coach of the Year, 1980 ACC Champions: Apr. 29 (92)
Dax McCarty, 18-year MLS Career, USMNT: Apr. 30 (39)
Ethan Albright, All-ACC Long Snapper, 17-year NFL Career, 2007 Pro Bowl: May 1 (55)
Ron Burton, 4-year NFL Linebacker, 23-year College Coaching Career: May 2 (62)
Dee Hardison, 1977 All-American Defensive Lineman, No. 71 Honored UNC Jersey, 11-year NFL Career: May 2 (1956-2018)
Marcus Holman, 3x Lacrosse All-American, 5x MLL All-Star: May 2 (35)
Michael Morin, 2012 All-American Pitcher, 7-year MLB Career: May 3 (35)
🏁 Final Thoughts
Thanks again to everyone for supporting the Tar Heel Times Newsletter. I hope you had a great weekend, and please leave a comment to let me know how you’re enjoying the content, what you’d like to see more of, or anything else that’s on your mind. I truly appreciate your support.
Go Heels!
James