Although Hubert Davis guided North Carolina to the national championship game in his first season, the total results across five years were not strong enough to justify a sixth. As a result, athletic director Bubba Cunningham and the UNC administration have launched a sweeping coaching search—one that is widely expected to culminate in the program’s first true outside hire since Frank McGuire left St. John’s to take over in Chapel Hill back in 1952.
A change of this magnitude is almost guaranteed to spark major roster turnover, potentially leaving the Tar Heels looking vastly different next season. Seth Trimble has run out of eligibility, while Caleb Wilson is projected to be a top-five pick in the NBA Draft. Still, they are unlikely to be the only departures, as several players appear poised to follow Davis out the door in search of a fresh start elsewhere.
1. Henri Veesaar, C, Junior
Henri Veesaar may have been headed to the NBA regardless, but Davis’s exit could make that decision easier—or reopen the door to another transfer after his move from Arizona to UNC last offseason.
Veesaar was among the most impactful big men in college basketball, anchoring the defense with elite rim protection while also stretching the floor offensively. Once Caleb Wilson went down with an injury, UNC struggled badly whenever Veesaar wasn’t on the court, a weakness that became glaring against VCU, when Davis relied on him for the entire second half and overtime.
After the season he delivered, Veesaar would command significant interest in the transfer portal. His skill set fits virtually any system, meaning suitors would line up quickly. While UNC’s next head coach could make a strong push to keep him, the more likely outcome is Veesaar moving on—either to the professional ranks or another program.
2. Kyan Evans, G, Junior
In hindsight, naming Kyan Evans the projected starting point guard for the 2025–26 season may have been the decision that most hurt Davis’s tenure. Evans proved to be a capable shooter in the Mountain West, but he struggled to match the physicality and athleticism of the ACC. By the midpoint of conference play, his role had been reduced to limited minutes off the bench.
UNC’s offense lacked consistent dribble penetration, relying almost entirely on Seth Trimble to put pressure on the paint. Even after Derek Dixon took over at point guard, the attack remained perimeter-heavy. That imbalance proved costly—especially with a floor-spacing center like Veesaar—and following a disappointing season, Evans is widely expected to return to the portal, likely landing back at the mid-major level.
3. Isaiah Denis, G, Freshman
Just two weeks after arriving in Chapel Hill as a promising four-star recruit, Isaiah Denis suffered a setback by reinjuring the same finger he hurt during his senior year of high school. The injury sidelined him for two to three months, leaving him well behind in his development. He ultimately appeared in only 10 games, logging just over 30 total minutes.
While the Charlotte native could choose to remain patient, the combination of an injury-disrupted freshman season and a full coaching staff overhaul makes him a strong candidate to explore transfer options. A skilled 6-foot-5 guard, Denis entered college ranked 79th nationally and fourth in North Carolina.
4. James Brown, F, Sophomore
James Brown arrived as a top-100 recruit in the 2024 class, but opportunities have been scarce through his first two seasons. The 6-foot-10 forward has appeared in just 27 games, averaging only 3.8 minutes per contest. His sophomore campaign was cut short by a foot injury that required surgery, and during his absence, other frontcourt options emerged while Caleb Wilson missed time late in the season.
With limited game experience and a new coaching staff on the horizon, Brown’s future at UNC remains uncertain as the program prepares for significant change.