Neoklis Avdalas gives North Carolina something it can build around in a hurry: size, vision and a self-image that doesn’t fit the usual mold. At nearly 6-foot-10, he doesn’t sound interested in being labeled like a typical forward. He sees himself as a point guard, and he’s not shy about saying so.
“I would describe myself as a point guard. Most guys see that I’m 6-foot-9 and say, ‘that’s a small forward,’ but I would like to call myself a point guard.
"My teammates and coaches who see me play know that I can play point guard. I like to read the game, make the right decision every time and put my teammates in the right direction and score the ball,” Avdalas said, per On3.
That kind of confidence matters for a North Carolina team that should have plenty of options next season. Matt Able and Terrence Brown are part of the mix too, and the real question is how the Tar Heels sort out the touches among those three. There’s a good chance all of them are handling the ball when the game tightens up, which is exactly what you want if you’re serious about winning.
Avdalas stands out because he brings a different profile than Able or Brown. Even with Able described as an oversized guard, Avdalas is the biggest of the group, and his game has more layers than simple size suggests.
He can score in a few different ways, but the passing is what jumps out. Last season, he averaged 4.6 assists per game, good for 94th in the country across college basketball.
The shot-making wasn’t always clean, and there were stretches where he looked inefficient. Still, the more natural fit may be for him to attack downhill and use his frame to force defenses to collapse.
From there, he can find North Carolina’s shooters or create easier looks for others. That feels more in line with his game than living off a diet of jumpers as a traditional guard.
In Other News...
UNC Just Got A Veteran Guard Boost Fans Didnt See Coming
Angelo Brizzis move to Chapel Hill gives North Carolina another experienced guard at a time when roster depth and backcourt stability matter as much as ever. The veteran has already logged time at Villanova, Davidson, Longwood and Buffalo, and the NCAA has approved a waiver that clears him to play one more college season. Now he arrives at UNC with the kind of well-traveled background that can help a new-look team settle in quickly under first-year head coach Michael Malone.
For the Tar Heels, Brizzis addition is less about splash than about fit, because a player who has seen that many programs usually brings a sense of pace, adaptability and perspective. His final college stop gives North Carolina another layer of insurance and another voice in a guard group that will need to absorb Malones system fast. The bigger question now is how that experience translates once the games begin and where Brizzi fits in a rotation that is still taking shape. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Just Lost Momentum In A Crucial Five Star Battle
Jordan Pages recruitment has reached a pivotal stretch, and North Carolina just felt the ground shift a little. The five-star guard recently visited Chapel Hill and also took a trip to UConn, giving both programs a chance to make their case as his process moves toward a final decision. For the Tar Heels, landing a player of Pages caliber would be a major boost, especially in a battle that has drawn plenty of attention on the national recruiting trail.
The latest buzz, though, has tilted away from UNC. Travis Branham of 247Sports put in a Crystal Ball prediction for UConn, a sign that the Huskies may have the inside track even as both schools stay actively involved. Recruiting decisions can still turn quickly, but for North Carolina, this is the kind of update that makes the final stages of a five-star chase feel a lot more urgent. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Must Fix One Passing Problem To Threaten Notre Dame
North Carolinas passing game has had trouble stretching the field this season, and that has become a clear concern as the Tar Heels prepare for Notre Dame. Billy Edwards Jr. has not found much consistency on throws beyond 10 yards, leaving the offense short on the kind of explosive plays that can change a game against a tougher opponent.
Bill Belichick and offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino have both stressed the need for sharper execution and better design to help create those opportunities. The Tar Heels are also hopeful to get receiver C.J. Sadler back in the mix, a potential boost since he has already caught the longest pass of the season and could give the passing attack a needed jolt at just the right time. [Read more 🡒]