Still enjoying the excitement around Matt Able’s decision to suit up for North Carolina next season? That reaction is more than justified, as many expected he could be headed to the NBA instead. Instead, Chapel Hill landed him, and the Tar Heels’ projected starting five is already shaping up to look very strong. Even so, there is still one more major piece everyone is waiting on.
Yes, the focus is on Greek center Alexandros Samodurov, with fans still anxiously waiting for an official announcement. There has been plenty of speculation suggesting Michael Malone is close to finalizing things, but nothing has been confirmed at the time of writing. If it does get completed, the conversation will quickly shift toward whether North Carolina deserves Top 15 to 20 national respect, which would become a major talking point.
If we imagine North Carolina’s season opener were tomorrow, even though the season is still months away, the projected starting five would likely feature Able, Terrence Brown, Neoklis Avdalas, Jarin Stevenson, and Sayon Keita at center. Keita is an extremely talented five star prospect from FC Barcelona in Spain, and his arrival has generated significant excitement about his future in the United States.
That said, it is important to remember he is still only 18 years old and will need time to adjust to the physicality and pace of ACC basketball. Some early growing pains in year one are expected, and that is something Michael Malone and his staff are clearly preparing for. This is where Samodurov could become a key addition.
With his overseas experience, Samodurov brings valuable toughness and knows how to operate effectively in the low post. He could ease the pressure on Keita while also providing a strong presence around the rim for the Tar Heels. A setup where Samodurov starts and Keita develops through meaningful bench minutes could be an ideal balance.
For now, however, everything still depends on Samodurov officially getting across the line. Reports and social media hints, including his activity around Carolina related posts, have fueled optimism, but nothing is finalized yet. Until UNC makes it official, it remains a waiting game.
If the commitment does become reality, it would add even more momentum and excitement to this group. Able’s decision already gave fans a major boost, and supporters are hoping Samodurov’s situation ends the same way. The idea of Able pushing the pace and connecting on alley oop passes to a dominant big man inside the Dean Dome is exactly the kind of vision that has fans dreaming of what this roster could become.