North Carolina’s backcourt is getting a different kind of jolt this season, and Terrence Brown is a big reason why.
With Michael Malone now running the Tar Heels, Chapel Hill is already looking nothing like it did over the last five years under Hubert Davis. Malone had limited time to settle in, but he still pieced together an interesting roster through the transfer portal, and Brown is one of the names drawing the most attention.
Brown comes to North Carolina after averaging 19.9 points per game at Utah last season, and the 6-foot-3, 174-pound guard has already shown why he was such a sought-after portal addition. Andrew Jones, who hosts "HeelReport" on 247Sports, said earlier this week that Brown’s energy has been trending up this offseason. What stands out most is how willing Brown is to attack the basket and put pressure on defenders.
That edge to his game draws some comparison to Seth Trimble, but Brown brings a far broader offensive package. He’s more inventive off the dribble, and his ability to score at all three levels makes him tough to load up on.
Defenders can’t just shade toward the rim and wait him out. Brown can rise into a mid-range jumper on a dime, or he can let it fly from deep.
Malone made the backcourt a clear priority this offseason, and Brown joins Matt Able and Neoklis Avdalas in giving North Carolina a much stronger group there. The Tar Heels may not have a top-five pick on this roster, but the overall talent level is still striking. Brown, in particular, has the look of a guard who could be the ACC’s most explosive and productive by 2026.
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UNCs Portal Rebuild Already Has A Few Regret Candidates
North Carolinas portal haul has given the Tar Heels a fresh batch of names to sort through, and a few of the additions already come with more questions than certainty. Defensive end Melkart Abou-Jaoude, quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., linebacker Derek McDonald and defender Jaylen Harvey are all part of a roster reset that has been especially noticeable at linebacker, where departures have left the depth chart in flux and the staff is trying to piece together a workable mix.
Edwards brings experience and a track record from his time at Maryland, but his path has not been clean, and the same can be said for the rest of the group as the staff tries to project who will actually translate into reliable production. McDonald has the look of a useful fit on paper, while Harvey and Abou-Jaoude add another layer of uncertainty to a rebuild that is still very much in progress, which is why this portal class already feels like it could define more than one answer in Chapel Hill. [Read more 🡒]
Leaky Black Just Hit Another Brutal NBA Crossroads
Leaky Blacks latest NBA stop has reached another uncertain juncture after his time with Washington ended following a season spent on a two-way contract. The former North Carolina forward logged minutes in 15 games for the Wizards and also spent time with the Capital City Go-Go, giving him a foothold in the organization even as the team continued sorting through its back-end roster pieces.
For Washington, the open two-way slot is likely to be used on younger talent as the franchise keeps trying to reshape the roster. For Black, who has had to keep proving he belongs at this level, it is another reminder of how thin the margin can be for players trying to turn a temporary opportunity into something longer lasting. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Still Has A Shot At A Massive Early Recruiting Win
Marcus Spears Jr. has already become one of the more intriguing names in the 2027 class, and North Carolina is squarely in the mix. The Dynamic Prep standout has drawn national attention for a versatile game that has earned comparisons to Jaren Jackson Jr. and Chris Bosh, the kind of praise that usually comes with a crowded recruitment and a long list of bluebloods watching closely. Along with the Tar Heels, Texas, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and USC are all involved, which tells you how quickly this one has moved onto the national radar.
For North Carolina, the appeal goes beyond simply being in the race. Spears would be the sort of early statement addition that can help a new staff show it can still land elite talent at the highest level, and the Tar Heels have a real opening to make their case before the field gets smaller. His recruitment is expected to tighten soon, so the next stretch could tell a lot about whether UNC is positioned as a serious contender or just one of several heavyweight programs hoping to stay in the conversation. [Read more 🡒]