North Carolina still hasn’t officially secured its first transfer addition since appointing Michael Malone as the new head coach in Chapel Hill, but momentum is starting to build for a few targets. One of the most notable names is former Utah guard Terrence Brown, who is reportedly set to visit campus giving Malone a prime opportunity to seal the deal.
The 6-foot-3 junior guard began his college career at Fairleigh Dickinson before moving to Utah for his junior season. There, he put up impressive numbers, averaging 19.9 points and 3.8 assists per game. Now entering his final year of eligibility, Brown is eyeing a move to a high-level program, with Kansas and Kentucky also firmly in contention alongside UNC.
Brown is also expected to visit Kansas later this week, but Malone may try to secure his commitment before that trip even happens. That urgency makes sense, especially considering Brown’s aggressive, attacking style—something North Carolina’s backcourt noticeably lacked last season.
Utah transfer Terrence Brown visiting UNC on Monday with Kansas lurking
Although Brown has proven to be a high-volume scorer at both Fairleigh Dickinson and Utah, efficiency has never been his strongest trait. He’s not particularly confident from beyond the arc, shooting around 33 percent on just over three attempts per game. That limitation often leads him to rely on mid-range shots and tough attempts in the paint.
His 48.6 effective field goal percentage ranked in just the 45th percentile nationally (per CBBanalytics.com). Combined with a massive 99th percentile usage rate, it’s not shocking that Utah finished with a 10-22 record. Still, those numbers may be influenced by the fact that he was carrying a heavy load on a struggling team. With interest from programs like Kansas, Kentucky, UNC, and Missouri, Brown appears eager to test how his game translates within a winning system.
That decision could benefit both sides. For UNC, even with efficiency concerns, Brown would address a major need. With so much roster turnover expected, last season’s shortcomings don’t fully dictate the future—but one issue is clear: the Tar Heels need a guard who can consistently attack the rim and collapse defenses.
The Tar Heels need Brown’s rim pressure, but will he fit with Dylan Mingo?
Last season, Seth Trimble filled that role to some extent, but other guards like Kyan Evans, Derek Dixon, and Luka Bogovac leaned more toward perimeter-oriented playstyles. When paired with a stretch-five like Henri Veesaar—who thrives as a pick-and-pop three-point shooter—having a downhill guard becomes even more important. Brown, despite his reluctance as a shooter, excels in that area.
Half of Brown’s scoring—10 of his 20 points per game—came in the paint, placing him in the 81st percentile for paint scoring among guards. For comparison, only 11.2 percent of Dixon’s points came in the paint, compared to 19.8 percent for Evans and 54.2 percent for Trimble.
While Brown’s finishing at the rim (57.5 percent) doesn’t match Trimble’s elite 70.1 percent, it still surpasses Dixon’s 23.8 percent and Evans’ 45.0 percent by a wide margin.
Brown may not be flawless, but he fits a key need for North Carolina. The bigger question is how he would mesh with five-star recruit Dylan Mingo, who remains committed to the program. Like Brown, Mingo thrives when attacking downhill but isn’t known as a consistent perimeter shooter.
If Malone ultimately pairs Mingo and Brown in the backcourt, surrounding them with reliable shooting will be essential. Still, after last season, many UNC fans would likely welcome a duo that relentlessly pressures the rim—especially compared to a backcourt that struggled to do so consistently.