New Era For UNC
Michael Malone Takes Over UNC Basketball With A Rebuilt Roster And NBA Experience
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Key Points
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UNC hosted 2027 recruits Beckham Black, ranked No. 1 nationally, and Asa Montgomery, ranked No. 8 overall and No. 3 among small forwards; it was also set to host No. 11 prospect Nasir Anderson.
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Despite appearing in only 10 games for 3.4 minutes per game as a freshman, Isaiah Denis shot 50% from the field and 50% from three, making 7 of 14 overall and 4 of 8 from beyond the arc.
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Denis’s limited freshman season followed two hand injuries: he dislocated a finger during his senior year of high school, then broke it again two or three weeks into UNC summer workouts, missing much of preseason.
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When Denis entered the transfer portal on April 5, Malone enlisted former NBA star Chris Paul—whom Denis knew well—to urge him to withdraw and stay at UNC.
North Carolina basketball opened practice for the 2026-27 season under new coach Michael Malone with a largely rebuilt roster assembled through the transfer portal. The program has brought in 11 new players and is pursuing an NBA-influenced approach that has already made an impression on returning players like sophomore Isaiah Denis, who Sports Illustrated reports is seeing a "different energy" driving growth for the team.
Denis, who appeared in just 10 games as a freshman while averaging 3.4 minutes per game, is expecting a significant leap in Malone's system. When Denis entered the transfer portal in April, Sports Illustrated reports that Malone personally enlisted former NBA star Chris Paul to convince him to stay, highlighting the coach's commitment to building long-term depth at UNC.
Denis's Strong Shooting Despite Limited Playing Time
Despite his minimal role as a freshman, Denis displayed elite efficiency from the field. 247Sports notes he shot 50% from the field and 50% from three-point range, making 7 of 14 overall shots and 4 of 8 from beyond the arc in just 10 games.
Denis's freshman season was derailed by injury setbacks. He dislocated a finger during his senior year of high school, then broke it again two or three weeks into UNC's summer workouts, costing him much of the preseason. His limited availability masked the potential that now has Malone confident in his development moving forward.
$20 Million Roster Draws Mixed Assessments
UNC's transfer portal haul has sparked debate about roster quality. Roundtable reports that analysts have questioned whether the roughly $20 million group is strong enough compared with other high-spending programs, citing specific uncertainties in both the frontcourt and backcourt positions.
However, other evaluators believe UNC's talent is being underestimated. The program's investment and Malone's track record have created optimism that the roster will prove more effective than critics expect when the season begins.
Malone's Staff Eyes 2027 Recruiting Class
While developing the current roster, Malone's staff is building for the future. Sports Illustrated reports that UNC hosted multiple highly ranked prospects from the 2027 class, including No. 1 nationally ranked Beckham Black and Asa Montgomery, ranked No. 8 overall and No. 3 among small forwards.
The program was also set to host No. 11 prospect Nasir Anderson, signaling Malone's intention to establish a stronger long-term foundation. This early recruiting success suggests confidence in the program's direction despite current roster questions.
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