The transfer portal has changed the face of college basketball, and nowhere is that more evident than in Chapel Hill. UNC’s men’s basketball program underwent a near-complete roster overhaul between last season and now.
Some players graduated, others jumped to the NBA, and a handful found new homes across the country - and many of them are thriving. With nonconference play winding down, it’s a good time to check in on some familiar faces and see how they’re faring in new colors.
Spoiler: there are some real success stories here.
Elliot Cadeau - Michigan
Let’s start with Elliot Cadeau, who’s been nothing short of a revelation at Michigan. The Wolverines are off to an 11-0 start and currently sit at No. 2 in the country, with Cadeau starting every game. Statistically, his numbers haven’t taken a huge leap - 10.1 points, 5.8 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game - but the efficiency and impact are on another level.
He’s shooting a blistering 43.5% from deep on four attempts per game, a big jump from his time at UNC. His assist-to-turnover ratio has improved to 2.4:1, and he’s already delivered in big moments, including clutch plays in an overtime win against Wake Forest.
But the most eye-popping change? Defense.
Cadeau has slashed his Defensive Rating from 107.9 to 92.4, and advanced metrics like Evan Miyakawa’s DBPR rank him among the top 50 defenders in the nation. He’s not just fitting in - he’s elevating Michigan, and it’s clear the fresh start has unlocked a new level of his game.
Ian Jackson - St. John’s
Ian Jackson’s journey at St. John’s has been more of a rollercoaster.
The Red Storm entered the season with high expectations, ranked in the top 10, but have stumbled to an 8-4 record. Jackson’s role has fluctuated along the way.
He started the opener and went a perfect 6-for-6 from the field - but barely touched the stat sheet otherwise. That led to a bench role for the next stretch of games, where he was more active but less efficient, shooting 42% overall and just 29% from three.
Lately, though, Rick Pitino has reinserted him into the starting lineup, and Jackson has responded. Over his last four starts, he’s averaging 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal per game.
The consistency isn’t quite there yet - he faded in the second half of a recent loss to Kentucky - but the tools are clearly developing. He’s trending toward becoming a more complete player, even if the progress is coming in fits and starts.
Cade Tyson - Minnesota
Now here’s a name that’s turning heads: Cade Tyson. After a tough year at UNC where he looked out of place physically and struggled to find his rhythm, Tyson has exploded at Minnesota. He’s averaging 22.8 points per game on elite shooting splits - 53% from the field, 42% from three, and 82% from the line.
The key? A shift in role.
No longer miscast as a small-ball four, Tyson is playing on the wing, where he has more space to operate and attack. He’s scoring at all three levels and looks every bit the offensive weapon Minnesota hoped for.
Defense is still a work in progress, but when you’re pouring in points like that, you get a little more leeway. He’s currently the second-leading scorer in the country, and it’s clear he’s found a system that lets his game flourish.
Ven-Allen Lubin - NC State
Ven-Allen Lubin didn’t have to go far - just down the road to NC State - and he’s making the most of his new opportunity. The Wolfpack coaching staff believed he was underutilized at UNC, and they’ve given him a bigger role. So far, he’s delivered.
Lubin is averaging 13.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while maintaining his ultra-efficient 69% shooting from the field. He’s playing about 26 minutes a night and giving NC State solid production in the paint.
That said, the team has struggled to protect the rim and match up with size - issues that UNC fans will remember from his time in Chapel Hill. Still, Lubin’s individual growth is evident, and he’s proving he can be a productive starter when given the chance.
Jalen Washington - Vanderbilt
Another former Tar Heel making waves on an undefeated team is Jalen Washington, now a key rotation piece for No. 11 Vanderbilt. He’s averaging 9.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in just 19 minutes per game - efficient, impactful minutes at the center spot.
What’s changed for Washington? Confidence and control.
He’s become a more willing shooter, with about a third of his attempts coming from beyond the arc. While he’s hitting under 30% from three, the spacing he creates just by being a threat has opened up the floor for Vanderbilt’s offense.
He’s also cut his turnover rate in half, which has made him a much more reliable presence on the offensive end. He’s not overpowering defenders, but he’s using his length and touch to finish plays and stretch defenses.
Tyler Nickel - Vanderbilt
Washington isn’t the only former Heel thriving at Vanderbilt. Tyler Nickel, part of the same UNC recruiting class, is putting together a lights-out scoring season.
He’s averaging 15.3 points per game and shooting a scorching 48% from three. He recently dropped 26 points on just 12 shots in a win over Wake Forest - the kind of efficient scoring burst that makes coaches smile and defenses panic.
Nickel’s always had the reputation as a shooter, but now he’s doing it with consistency and confidence. Playing alongside Washington again, the two have helped Vanderbilt become one of the surprise stories of the early season.
Trayanna Crisp - Mississippi State (Women’s Basketball)
On the women’s side, Trayanna Crisp is quietly having a strong season for 12-1 Mississippi State. She’s starting at guard and averaging 8 points per game, but what stands out is the efficiency. Crisp is knocking down 40% of her threes after shooting just 30% over her first three college seasons, and she’s also improved as a passer and decision-maker.
She looks more comfortable, more confident, and more in control - all signs of a player who’s grown and matured since her time in Chapel Hill. She’s become a winning player, contributing to a team that’s off to a terrific start.
Final Thoughts
College basketball is a game of fit, timing, and opportunity. What didn’t quite click in Chapel Hill for these players is now working elsewhere - and in some cases, it’s working spectacularly. Whether it’s Cadeau leading a top-2 team, Tyson lighting up scoreboards in the Big Ten, or Washington and Nickel helping Vanderbilt stay undefeated, these former Tar Heels are proving that a change of scenery can make all the difference.
And while they may no longer wear Carolina blue, their time in Chapel Hill was still a meaningful chapter in their basketball journeys.