UNC Showcases First Practice Footage of Transfer Class Ahead of 2025–26 Season

North Carolina has released its first practice video of the offseason, highlighting several of its key transfer additions for the upcoming 2025–26 campaign. The footage gives fans an early glimpse at newcomers Henri Veesaar, Kyan Evans, Jonathan Powell, and Jarin Stevenson as they take the court in Carolina blue for the first time.

 

These four transfers are part of a larger nine-player overhaul that also includes a top-10 high school recruiting class — ranked No. 8 nationally — as well as international prospect Luka Bogavac. Overall, the Tar Heels’ transfer class ranks 22nd in the country and third in the ACC.

 

Jarin Stevenson

Portal Rank: No. 138 overall, No. 22 PF

Stevenson joins UNC after a freshman season at Alabama, where he appeared in 32 games (starting 22) and averaged 5.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in just under 19 minutes per game. He shot 42.9% from the field and 30.7% from three.

 

Recruiting analyst Sean Moran believes Stevenson has the physical tools to slot in at multiple positions, including power forward, small forward, and potentially even as a small-ball center. “Carolina could utilize him as a hybrid forward,” Moran said. “He’s athletic enough to become a difference-maker defensively.” With Stevenson (6’11”), Caleb Wilson (6’10”), and Henri Veesaar (7’0”) in the rotation, UNC could deploy one of the tallest and most versatile frontcourts in the country.

 

Kyan Evans

Portal Rank: No. 96 overall, No. 11 Combo Guard

Evans, a 6-foot-2 guard from Colorado State, brings playmaking and shooting to Chapel Hill. He averaged 10.6 points and 3.4 assists last season, while shooting a stellar 44.6% from three — including a scorching 60% from deep over his final eight games.

 

“He wants to be the guy with the ball in his hands,” said Inside Carolina’s Sherrell McMillan. “He’s a dynamic shot-maker who can run the offense. Turnovers happen, but his offensive ceiling makes him worth the gamble.”

Jonathan Powell

Portal Rank: No. 153 overall, No. 37 SG

Powell was UNC’s first portal commitment and adds length and perimeter scoring at 6-foot-6. As a freshman at West Virginia, he averaged 8.3 points and connected on 62 three-pointers — the second-most among Big 12 freshmen.

 

McMillan described him as “a classic Roy Williams-era wing,” praising his ability to shoot, move off the ball, and finish in transition. “He’s still developing physically, but his commitment to Coach Davis’ system and to GM Jim Tanner’s vision is a real positive.”

 

Henri Veesaar

Portal Rank: No. 27 overall, No. 3 Center

Veesaar, a 7-foot, 235-pound center from Arizona, had a breakout sophomore season, averaging 9.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in under 21 minutes per game, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention.

 

“His per-minute numbers are elite,” said Moran. “He’s highly efficient around the rim and gives UNC a steady interior presence. If he improves his defensive rebounding, he can be a key anchor on both ends.”

A Rebuilt Carolina Core

The combination of size, shooting ability, and veteran experience from this year’s transfer class addresses many of the roster needs UNC faced last season — particularly in the frontcourt. With a blend of immediate-impact players and long-term developmental pieces, Hubert Davis has reshaped the Tar Heels’ identity heading into the new season.

 

Early practice footage suggests this group is already building chemistry — and Carolina fans should be optimistic. The next chapter of Tar Heel basketball is well underway.

A New UNC Basketball Star Shows Off in the Nation’s Capital

UNC Commit Caleb Wilson Shines with 28-Point Performance at Jordan Brand Classic

Future UNC basketball standout Caleb Wilson put on a show at the Jordan Brand Classic, dropping a game-high 28 points to further cement the growing excitement around his upcoming arrival in Chapel Hill.

Wilson, a five-star forward out of Holy Innocents Episcopal School (Ga.), committed to head coach Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels in late January, choosing North Carolina over top programs like Kentucky, Ohio State, and Tennessee. His combination of size, skill, and grit has earned him the No. 6 overall spot in the 247Sports 2025 Composite rankings — and Friday night’s performance only added fuel to the hype.

At 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds, Wilson was nearly unstoppable during the prestigious prep showcase in Washington, D.C., going an ultra-efficient 13-for-14 from the field. He added six rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block while leading Team Air to a 141–129 win — a game that featured a 19-point comeback and a massive 90-point second half, much of which was sparked by Wilson’s two-way domin

His performance serves as another reason for UNC fans to be excited about the future. Wilson headlines a 2025 Tar Heels recruiting class currently ranked No. 9 in the nation and No. 4 in the ACC, according to 247Sports. He’ll join fellow incoming freshmen Isaiah Denis (a four-star guard from Davidson Day School in North Carolina) and Derek Dixon (a four-star guard from Gonzaga College High School in D.C.) on campus this summer.