After making the National Championship Game in his debut season as North Carolina basketball coach, Hubert Davis’ teams have regressed. They missed out on the NCAA Tournament entirely two years ago and were sent packing in the Sweet 16, despite being a 1-seed, in this season’s March Madness. Locals in Chapel Hill are hoping the 2024-25 UNC basketball season marks a return to the Final Four, with Davis leaning heavily on his North Carolina basketball recruiting prowess to do that. He’s already landed two five-star prospects as guard Ian Jackson and forward Drake Powell are among the top 10 national recruits in the Class of 2024, per 247Sports.
However, North Carolina basketball didn’t target the college basketball transfer portal, which is now closed, as Cade Tyson, previously of Belmont, was the program’s only target. Frontcourt depth is a concern after losing the ACC’s all-time leading rebounder, Armando Bacot, whose eligibility ran out. So, what will the 2024-25 North Carolina basketball roster look like, and who could help the Heels get back to the Final Four? If you love the Tar Heels, or just want the latest roster updates and college basketball transfer portal news, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at Inside Carolina, the 247Sports affiliate that covers the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Inside Carolina is universally viewed as the authority on Tar Heel sports and recruiting. With relentless, unparalleled year-round coverage, and the largest online community of always-engaged UNC fans, the slogan is true: “There is no offseason at Inside Carolina.”
Inside Carolina has been “The Independent Voice of UNC Sports” since 1994, and is a network partner with 247Sports and CBS Sports. The Inside Carolina staff is composed of experienced, professional reporters and analysts whose job is to provide readers with objective coverage. The publication is independently owned and operated, and is not affiliated with the University. It is fully credentialed by UNC, the ACC and the NCAA.
The team at Inside Carolina has full coverage of who is coming and who is going on the North Carolina basketball roster. Head to Inside Carolina now to see all the insider info.
North Carolina basketball roster departures
Bacot’s loss can’t be overstated as he helped smooth the coaching transition for UNC from Roy Williams to Hubert Davis. He was a double-double machine over his five years on campus, but he wasn’t the only major piece that won’t be returning for the 2024-25 UNC basketball season. Cormac Ryan, a sixth-year senior last year who averaged 11.5 points per game, is also out of eligibility, while All-ACC selection Harrison Ingram is testing the NBA Draft waters. He could ultimately return to UNC and has until May 29 to withdraw his name from the draft.
North Carolina did pursue Tennessee’s Jonas Aidoo and Stanford’s Andrej Stojakovic from the portal, but they elected to take their talents elsewhere. However, it’s not all bad news for the Carolina faithful as the reigning ACC Player of the Year and first-team All-American, RJ Davis, plans to run it back. He will return for his fifth season at UNC and will provide some continuity with UNC projected to lose three of its top four-leading scorers from last year’s squad. Join Inside Carolina to see the latest on all of North Carolina’s roster changes.
North Carolina basketball news, roster
With North Carolina returning the bulk of its roster from last year, Davis and his staff only had a handful of available scholarships to work with. That didn’t stop the Heels’ staff from signing the ninth-ranked recruiting class in the country, according to 247Sports. Thus far, UNC has added three players from the high school ranks and one player from the Transfer Portal.
The incoming talent is headlined by a pair of five-star high school signees in shooting guard Ian Jackson and small forward Drake Powell. Jackson, ranked as the No. 9 overall prospect in the country, is an explosive 6-foot-5 guard, who has the ability to be an instant impact player on the defensive end of the court. Powell, the No. 10 overall prospect in the country, is also athletic and capable of making an impact on both ends of the court from Day One in Chapel Hill. Join Inside Carolina to get the latest on all of North Carolina’s roster additions.
How to get insider North Carolina basketball roster updates
Davis has been in contact with multiple transfers from power-conference teams, so be sure to join Inside Carolina to see who they are and get the rest of the insider roster news.
Who are the top names North Carolina basketball is pursuing this offseason in the transfer portal, and which power-conference transfers could land in Chapel Hill? Go to Inside Carolina to see their insider information, all from a team of reporters with years of experience covering the Tar Heels, and find out. And reminder, Inside Carolina is offering 30% off the first year of an annual VIP membership*, so subscribe now before it’s too late.
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