CHAPEL HILL - Michael Malone didn’t sound like a coach worried about his frontcourt.
North Carolina’s first-year basketball coach met with the media Thursday morning at the Smith Center for his first formal press conference of the season, and when the conversation turned to the big men, Malone leaned into the positives. He didn’t overdo it, but he made clear he likes what he has up front.
That matters because some outside observers have looked at UNC’s frontcourt and seen a possible concern. Malone’s view was different. With practice still less than three weeks away, he spent plenty of time breaking down the size, skill and versatility in the Tar Heels’ interior group.
Sayon Keita was the first name on the list. The 7-foot-1 freshman from Mali spent two professional seasons with FC Barcelona in Spain’s Liga ACB, where he logged reserve minutes for the first team. He moved to Spain at 14 and joined Barcelona’s program, and Malone said he went overseas to watch him play after taking the job.
“I think (he) has unlimited potential. I flew over to Spain to watch him play right after I got the job, and when we were able to get a commitment from him, that was a big step in us building this thing.
“The size, the length, the versatility, a beautiful young man, and when you think about his journey coming here to Chapel Hill and how well he's fit in, and how comfortable he is, that's something that I've really enjoyed watching. But Sayon is going to be a hell of a player.”
Alexander Samodurov gives UNC another European big, and Malone made it clear the 6-11 junior brings a different kind of value. Samodurov played for Panathinaikos in the Greek Basketball League and EuroLeague, appearing in 65 professional games. Malone called him “Samo” and described him as a skilled big who can play multiple spots.
“We call (him) Samo for short because Samodurov is a mouthful. Samo, another guy we got from over in Europe playing for Panathinaikos.
Samo is a skilled big. He can be a four, he can be a five, he can stretch the floor, he can be a facilitator.
“And they both (including Keita) have tremendous size and length and versatility in that regard.”
Then there’s Cameron Fens, the late August addition who arrived after a breakout year at South Dakota. The 7-footer started all 32 games for the 16-16 Coyotes and averaged 14.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.
Every one of his 311 shot attempts came inside the arc, and he made 57.9% of them. In Summit League play, he bumped those numbers to 17.8 points and 10.3 rebounds, and he was the only player in the conference to finish with more than 100 rebounds.
He earned First-Team All-Summit League honors and made the All-Defensive Team.
Malone’s description was blunt.
“(Fens) is kind of the complete opposite of Samo, complete opposite of Sayon. Now you're talking about a grown-ass man. He's 7 feet, 255 pounds, physical, strong, and a very talented player on top of that.”
Jarin Stevenson, the 6-10 senior from Chapel Hill, also drew praise. He averaged 8.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, .9 assists, .6 steals and .7 blocks last season, shot 47.0% from the field and 74.2% from the line, and played 25.7 minutes per game. Over his final 10 games, he was better across the board, posting 10.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while shooting 51.4% overall and 33.3% from three.
Malone pointed to Stevenson’s ability to move around the lineup as his biggest weapon.
“Jarin Stevenson, who has been here, if from Chapel Hill. Jarin, last year when he had a chance to play with two NBA big players in Caleb (Wilson) and Henri, Jarin was a three, he was a four, he was a five at times. And I think that's what his superpower is: the versatility that Jarin Stevenson brings.
“And, it's always neat for me to listen to the coaches that have been here, like Sean (May) and Sully (Pat Sullivan), and for them to tell me that Jarin is doing things that they haven't seen him do. And not just making shots and making plays, but how he's doing it.
And my challenge to Jarin when I got the job was, 'You might be quiet off the court, but on the court, I need you to be loud. Let your game be loud.
“I think Jarin's done a really good job.”
Maximo Adams, a 6-7 freshman from Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth, California, was another player Malone highlighted. Adams was the No. 26 overall player in the 247 composite rankings, and Malone leaned into his ability to handle multiple roles.
“I think Maxi's versatility as a four-three/three-four; he's a basketball player. And you're talking about one of the best high school basketball players un the country last year.
“And Maxi's work ethic, his versatility to play on the perimeter and inside, I think is well documented.”
Malone also mentioned 7-foot Northwestern transfer Cade Bennerman at the end, noting only his name and that he transferred from Northwestern.
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