Michael Malone signed a 6-year, $50 million contract with a $6.75 million revenue share floor and a $4 million assistant salary pool. That's the second-highest coaching salary in college basketball behind Bill Self, and it comes with the kind of budget that can reshape a roster in two weeks. The portal opened today. Malone's first job is using that financial muscle to build a team around what's already a strong core.
Henri Veesaar is the centerpiece — 16.0 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 42.6% from three at 6-11. If Malone convinces him to return instead of testing the NBA Draft, UNC has an All-American candidate to anchor everything. Luka Bogavac (9.8 PPG, 34.9% from three) and Jarin Stevenson (8.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG) give him two more proven ACC pieces. That's 33.9 PPG of returning production before the portal or freshmen arrive.
The incoming recruiting class is loaded. Dylan Mingo (#5 nationally, 5-star CG) is still committed despite a viral fake decommitment rumor — he hasn't wavered. Maximo Adams (#21, 4-star SF) is signed. Malloy Smith, Kenny "The Jet" Smith's son, committed March 6 as a 3-star point guard. Three freshmen, two of them top-25 recruits, walking into a program with NBA-level coaching and resources.
The departures are real but manageable. Caleb Wilson (14.4 PPG) is a top-five NBA pick — that was always the plan. Seth Trimble (14.0 PPG) graduated. Seven rotation players entered the portal, though Derek Dixon, Jonathan Powell, and Zayden High all left the door open to return under Malone. The biggest need is a proven lead guard who can run an offense from day one, and there are several good ones available. Malone's NBA pedigree is a genuine recruiting advantage — players who want to develop toward the league will take his call. Here are 7 names on the board.
NBA Budget Meets College Portal
12.2 PPG, 5.4 APG, 1.9 SPG in 32 starts at Villanova. The assist numbers are the headline — UNC had nobody who could run an offense this season. The 27.1% from three is a problem, but 45.9% from the field says he scores inside the arc. Malone needs a floor general. Lewis is the best available.
19.1 PPG on 38.9% from three and 85.9% from the line. Started all 34 games at Wisconsin. The kind of proven scorer UNC hasn't had since — well, since Wilson leaves for the draft. Half the sport will call. UNC has the money but Malone has no staff and no college recruiting relationships. Late start hurts.
15.0 PPG, 2.8 APG, 37.0% from three at VCU — the team that beat UNC in the first round and got Hubert Davis fired. The irony writes itself. Shot 46.6% from the field and 84.4% from the line. A proven scorer who can handle the ball.
14.9 PPG, 3.0 APG at 6-7 — rare size for a playmaker. Shot 35.0% from three and 83.9% from the line. Started 22 of 33 games. Providence fired Kim English and hired Bryan Hodgson, which freed Vaaks up. The 6-7 frame fits Malone's NBA-style vision.
No. 1 portal player. 13.1 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.5 BPG on 63.9% shooting. Also declared for the NBA Draft. Duke is the frontrunner if he stays in college. UNC only enters this conversation if Veesaar leaves AND Bidunga drops out of the draft. Long shot, but Malone's NBA pedigree is a real pitch to a kid weighing his options.
12.1 PPG, 4.5 APG at 6-9 — a point-forward type. Started all 31 games at Virginia Tech. The 31.4% from three and 67.3% FT are rough. But a 6-9 facilitator who averages 4.5 assists fits the NBA-style offense Malone will want to run. Greek international with three years of eligibility.
16.4 PPG as a sophomore at Georgia. Shot 35.7% from three and 78.6% FT. Only 6-1, so the question is whether he can hold up physically in the ACC. 1.5 steals in 24 minutes shows the motor. LSU, among others, is also after him.
I think the gap''s never been closer to the NBA in college, in terms of age. I''m the perfect fit at the right time
The Outlook
The pieces are there for a strong rebuild. Veesaar, Bogavac, and Stevenson give Malone a returning core that most new coaches would envy. Mingo and Adams are the kind of freshmen who can contribute immediately in the right system. If Malone adds a point guard like Lewis and a scorer like Hill or Vaaks, this roster has the talent to compete for an NCAA Tournament bid in year one — especially with a coach who spent a decade developing players at the highest level in professional basketball.
The $6.75 million revenue share budget puts UNC in the top tier nationally for portal spending. The brand still matters. And a coach who turned Nikola Jokic into a three-time MVP knows how to identify and develop talent that other people undervalue. The portal closes April 21. Fourteen days to fill the gaps, and the resources to fill them well.