North Carolina’s offseason overhaul brought in 11 new players, and one of the more interesting additions is former LSU commit Kevin Thomas.
Thomas, a 6-foot-6, 205-pound forward, ended up signing with UNC on the same day as his visit, a quick turn that came after LSU changed coaches. That shift pushed Thomas to decommit and restart his recruitment, and once he hit the open market, assistant coach Sean May got involved right away. Malone followed soon after, and the staff’s push to bring Thomas to Chapel Hill quickly helped shape his decision.
One thing that stood out to Thomas was Malone’s background. Like several of UNC’s new arrivals this offseason, Thomas was drawn to Malone’s NBA résumé and the fact that he guided the Denver Nuggets to a championship.
For a player looking to get to the next level, that kind of track record matters. Winning does too.
Thomas also noticed something beyond the resume. Malone, he saw, genuinely cares about his players and staff.
He demands a lot in practice and in the weight room, and that edge comes from a place of wanting his group to be better. From the moment they met, Thomas recognized the accountability Malone expects, and that kind of environment fits a player who wants to keep developing.
That’s especially important for Thomas, who already brings value on one end of the floor. He’s an exceptional defender, but he still has plenty of room to grow offensively.
His defense should show up immediately. He’s an aggressive on-ball and off-ball defender who can bother guards and wings, create turnovers, and even force shot-clock violations.
Add in the quick hands, the motor, and the willingness to crash the glass, and it’s easy to see why he fits what Malone wants.
Malone has said he wants the offense to be an extension of the defense, and Thomas looks like a natural fit for that approach. Expect to see him often during the non-conference schedule, when the staff can test different rotations. As the season goes on, he should also become a valuable situational defender late in games.
In Other News...
Duke Just Gave UNC A Huge Rivalry Week Problem
Dukes rivalry-week injury report has introduced another layer of uncertainty into a matchup that already carries plenty of tension for North Carolina. Running back Nate Sheppard is listed as a game-time decision, and his status matters because he has been Dukes most productive runner and one of the most important pieces of the Blue Devils offense.
If Sheppard cannot go, Duke would likely turn to CJ Campbell Jr., a less proven option with far less production and experience. For UNC, the difference between facing Duke with its lead back available or with a backup thrust into a bigger role could shape how the Tar Heels prepare for one of the seasons most closely watched games. [Read more 🡒]
Tar Heels Just Sent A Message Before Duke Showdown
North Carolina mens soccer kept rolling with a 1-0 road win over No. 7 Pittsburgh, a result that added another quality line to an already strong stretch. Max Fisher delivered the decisive goal in the 51st minute, finishing a pass from Bertil Rygaard Hansen and giving the Tar Heels the kind of road result that can sharpen a teams edge this time of year.
The victory stretched UNCs winning streak to five games and snapped Pittsburghs six-match unbeaten run, a nice reminder that the Tar Heels are carrying real momentum into the biggest matchups ahead. With Duke next on the horizon, the timing of this performance matters almost as much as the result itself, since wins like this tend to travel well when the pressure rises. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Gets Another Shot To End Duke Rivalry Frustration
North Carolina gets another crack at a rivalry that has been stubbornly frustrating lately when the Tar Heels meet Duke on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET in an ACC football matchup. The game will be carried on ESPN2 and SiriusXM radio, and it comes with some momentum after UNC recently upset a ranked opponent.
The bigger backdrop is simple: the Victory Bell has been out of reach in recent meetings, with Duke finding ways to win close games and leave Carolina looking for answers. Saturday offers the Tar Heels a chance to flip that script, and the broader schedule picture is already taking shape with UNCs 2026 football slate also in view. [Read more 🡒]