North Carolina men’s basketball is currently focused on finalizing its roster for the 2024-25 season, with Hubert Davis and his staff under pressure to fill the three remaining scholarships. With the transfer portal window closing on May 1st, the Tar Heels are now limited in their options, and it’s crucial to secure the right pieces as choices become more limited.
The most glaring gap in North Carolina’s roster is in the frontcourt. Despite actively pursuing several targets, they have yet to secure a significant addition to replace Armando Bacot. So far, the only notable addition has been Belmont transfer Cade Tyson. Hubert Davis is still actively searching for key frontcourt pieces.
Here are some potential targets North Carolina could consider in the ongoing portal recruitment:
Coleman Hawkins (Illinois):
The senior forward is considered one of the top available transfers if he chooses to stay in college. Hawkins, who is testing the NBA Draft waters while retaining eligibility, averaged 12.1 PPG and 6.1 RPG for Illinois. Standing at 6-foot-10, he can fill the void in the frontcourt and is also capable of stretching the floor with his three-point shooting ability.
Ven-Allen Lubin (Vanderbilt):
Another player of interest is 6-foot-8 sophomore Ven-Allen Lubin. With two years of eligibility remaining, Lubin averaged 12.3 PPG and 6.3 RPG for Vanderbilt last season. Although undersized for a center, he could potentially replace Harrison Ingram at power forward and bring experience against larger opponents. Lubin has shown potential from beyond the arc, making 33% of his three-point attempts last season.
Jamir Watkins (Florida State):
As for hypothetical targets, North Carolina could pursue Jamir Watkins, the top uncommitted transfer according to On3. The 6-foot-7 sophomore was the leading scorer for Florida State last season and is receiving attention from the NBA as he considers his options for the upcoming season. Watkins could provide scoring versatility from the wing and significantly bolster North Carolina’s frontcourt.
Achor Achor (Samford):
Achor burst onto the scene in the previous season, averaging 16.1 PPG and 6.5 RPG while shooting 43.5% from three-point range for Samford. Standing at 6-foot-9, he offers both floor-spacing ability and effectiveness as a traditional big man. While there haven’t been reports of North Carolina pursuing Achor, he could be a viable option as time continues to pass.