Uncommitted big men in the transfer portal UNC could go after

North Carolina is still trying to assemble its basketball roster under the first year of the Michael Malone era as it looks to add two or three more players.

It may take a bit longer for everything to come together, with the staff currently scouting players in Europe and trying to determine what they actually need to ensure each player is the right fit. Additionally, there are still some highly productive players in America who are in the transfer portal.

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The following is a list of some of the remaining uncommitted big men in the transfer portal. No one on this list is being actively recruited by UNC, but that could change in the coming days. It also offers everyone a chance to see who’s left.

With that being said, here is a brief overview of each player.

• Started 2 of 34 games, averaging 14.8 minutes, 4.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, and shooting 63.7% from the field.

• Played only 16 games two seasons ago due to injury and is seeking an NCAA waiver for a fifth year.

• Began his career at Marshall and spent the last three seasons at Florida

• Huntersville, N.C. native

• Started all 31 games, logging 31.9 minutes, 13.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 52.9% from the field, and 10-for-52 from three.

• Started 35 of 48 games over two seasons at Florida State (2022–24), then started all 34 games for FAU in 2024–25.

• Has appealed to the NCAA for a waiver after losing more than half of his freshman season at FSU due to suspension. Entered the NBA Draft but is expected to return if granted a waiver.

Connor Turnbull, 6-10, 215, Gr., Evansville

• Started 14 of 16 games, averaging 11.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 47.1% shooting, and 4-for-18 from three.

• Spent his first two seasons at Butler (redshirting in 2023–24), then started 20 of 34 games at Evansville in 2024–25.

Devin Williams, 6-10, 210, Jr., FAU

• Started all 33 games, averaging 23.8 minutes, 7.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 51.0% shooting, and 15-for-49 from three.

• Appeared in 10 games at UCLA during the 2023–24 season.

Austin Maurer, 7-0, 235, Jr., Seattle

• Started 25 of 35 games, with 17.9 minutes, 7.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, 52.2% shooting, and 10-for-39 from three.

• Opened his career at Grand Canyon, making 20 appearances with no starts as a freshman.

Franck Kepnang, 6-11, 250, Gr., Washington

• Started 25 of 27 games, averaging 22.9 minutes, 6.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, and 51.5% from the field.

• Member of the 2020 high school class; has received a COVID year and two medical redshirts.

Papa Kante, 6-10, 215, Jr., Pitt

• Came off the bench in all 30 games over the last two seasons; this past year averaged 14.1 minutes, 2.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and shot 45.0% from the field, 0-for-2 from three.

• Was at Pitt for three seasons, redshirting in 2023–24 due to injury.

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Emmanuel Stephen, 7-0, 230, Soph./Jr., UNLV

• Started 13 of 24 games, averaging 15.5 minutes, 3.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks.

• Began his college career at Arizona, where he played in 8 games.

Christian Fermin, 6-10, 225, Sr., VCU

• From 2022-26, he started 49 of 72 games; Limited to 4 games this past season due to injury.

• Averaging 21.4 minutes, 4.6 points and 3.1 rebounds in 2023-24

• Averaged 19.4 minutes, 5.2 points and 4.0 rebounds in 2024-25

• Averaged 1.4 blocks in both seasons

Emeka Opurum, 7-0, 245, Fr./Soph., Auburn

• Came off the bench in all 6 games, averaging 9.7 minutes, 3.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.0 block, and shooting 76.9% from the field.

Assane Diop, 6-9, 210, Sr., San Diego

• Started 19 of 29 games, posting 18.7 minutes, 5.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 49.6% shooting, and 18-for-43 from three.

• Played his first two seasons at Colorado, starting 17 of 70 games.

Malique Ewin, 6-10, 240, Gr., Arkansas

• Started 4 of 37 games, averaging 21.0 minutes, 9.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 59.0% from the field, and 3-for-4 from three.

• Played at Ole Miss in 2022–23 (14 games), then in junior college in 2023–24. Spent 2024–25 at Florida State, starting all 3 games he played and averaging 14.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks.

Jacob Bannarbie, 6-9, 235, Jr., UNLV

• Started 15 of 30 games, averaging 16.3 minutes, 5.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and shooting 51.9% from the field.

• Has been at UNLV for three seasons, redshirting in 2023–24.

Sir Issac Herron, 6-10, 235, Sr., Louisiana Tech

• Started 22 of 31 games, contributing 13.0 minutes, 4.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 0.6 blocks, 59.3% shooting, and 1-for-3 from three.

• Previously spent three seasons (including a redshirt year) at Oral Roberts before transferring to Louisiana Tech.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball: Uncommitted big men in the transfer portal