UNC Tar Heels Lose Out on Top Transfer Portal Target
North Carolina misses out on one of the best big men in the transfer portal.
By Cem Yolbulan
UNC Tar Heels will be going through significant changes ahead of the 2024-25 basketball season. They are losing their star big man Armando Bacot who is out of NCAA eligibility, as well as potentially their stars in the perimeter RJ Davis and Harrison Ingram, who could declare for the NBA Draft.
This opens up significant holes in the Tar Heels' rotation. They will fill some of these with the incoming freshmen as UNC has two five-star recruits in Drake Powell and Ian Jackson coming for next season.
However, neither of these freshmen is a frontcourt option, meaning that Bacot is still yet to be replaced. That is why Hubert Davis had turned his focus to the transfer portal to find a suitable center.
Unfortunately, one of the best options there is no longer available for North Carolina.
Kentucky Transfer Aaron Bradshaw Chooses Ohio State Over UNC
NEWS: Kentucky transfer Aaron Bradshaw, a former 5⭐️ recruit, has committed to Ohio State, @On3sports has learned.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 15, 2024
The 7-1 freshman is a former top-5 prospect in the 2023 class and McDonald’s All-American. https://t.co/l1xeIdSYOf pic.twitter.com/zCE166I5Os
Kentucky big man Aaron Bradshaw, who just finished his freshman season, had entered the transfer portal after John Calipari announced his departure from the program. The 7'1 center averaged 13.8 minutes per game for the Wildcats, putting up 4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
The former five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American, Bradshaw was one of the best centers in the country coming out of high school. He started his Kentucky career with a foot surgery in the preseason, limiting his effectiveness in his first year.
With a full training camp and preseason, Bradshaw should be one of the best sophomore centers in the country next year. Unfortunately, he will be playing for Ohio State.
According to Joe Tipton of On3 Sports, Bradshaw committed to Ohio State over the Tar Heels.
This means that North Carolina's search in the transfer portal will continue. Hopefully, they will be able to land a reliable starting big man to make another run at the Final Four next season.
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