Talented UNC transfer portal target chooses Big 10 powerhouse
After largely striking out in the 2024 offseason transfer portal, Hubert Davis is making sure the North Carolina Tar Heels load up with portal talent for their upcoming season.
UNC already has five incoming transfers: projected starting center Henri Veesaar (Arizona), projected starting point guard Kyan Evans (Colorado State), Chapel Hill native Jarin Stevenson (Alabama), plus shooting guards Jonathan Powell (West Virginia) and Jaydon Young (Virginia Tech). Each and every one of the previously-mentioned guys are crucial to success for North Carolina, which lost several players this offseason.
The Tar Heels still have a need at small forward, with 2024-2025 starter Drake Powell recently declaring for the NBA Draft. UNC targeted Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic in the portal, but that pursuit stops immediately.
On Monday, April 28, Stojakovic committed to the Illinois Fighting Illini. Andrej, the son of NBA legend Peja Stojakovic, chose Illinois over North Carolina and a possible return to Stanford.
"I think the main reasons were pretty clear to my inner circle as a basketball fit," Stojakovic told ESPN. "Coach [Brad] Underwood has been very aggressive recruiting me from the start and constantly reiterating how much I'm wanted and needed as a basketball player there. They really believe I'm the missing piece to what they think is a national championship team."
While Stojakovic would bring a much-needed perimeter shooting threat to Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels have several additional options at small forward on their roster.
My first thought for a small forward starter is the 6'10" Stevenson, who played primarily at power forward for the Crimson Tide last season, but spends a lot of time on the perimeter. Powell is also maintaining his college eligibility, so his potential return would be a huge roster boost for UNC.
The deadline for players to enter the portal recently closed, but North Carolina can still land commitments from guys still in the portal. Regardless of what happens, Stojakovic's decision doesn't hurt the Tar Heels a ton.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
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