Michael Malone was in Greensboro on Wednesday for the official announcement of the two-year agreement between North Carolina and NC State, which will see the in-state rivals meet in a non-conference game during each of the next two seasons.
The first matchup between the two programs is scheduled for December 15, with tickets set to go on sale September 10.
Yes, the news is significant. Under the ACC’s new scheduling format, fans are missing out on two annual meetings between the Tar Heels and Wolfpack, meaning they also missed the chance to boo Ven-Allen Lubin during the 2025-2026 season.
But the biggest news coming out of Wednesday had little to do with the scheduling announcement, as Michael Malone delivered a major update that UNC fans had been waiting to hear.
Michael Malone gives Tar Heel fans the update they’ve been waiting on
The Tar Heels head coach spent time speaking with the media about the upcoming non-conference agreement with NC State, but he was also asked about several other topics surrounding the program.
One of the most important questions centered on the eligibility of Sayon Keita and Alexandros Samodurov, two international prospects who previously played professionally overseas.
After what happened with Luka Bogavac a year ago, it was understandable for UNC fans to have some concerns. However, Malone quickly put those worries to rest with a crucial update on both players.
According to Malone, both prospects have been fully cleared.
“As far as I’m aware, they’re both clear, they’re in class, they’re in the workouts, and I think everything’s a go.”
That is exactly the kind of update Tar Heel fans wanted to hear heading into the new season.
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Along with Malone’s update, Tar Heel 247 reported that Samodurov will be classified as a junior and will have three seasons of eligibility remaining. Keita, who turned 18 in March, would normally be viewed as a freshman based on his age, although his professional experience in Spain could affect his classification.
Regardless of the eventual classification, the most important takeaway is that both players have been cleared and are eligible when the 2026-2027 season officially begins on November 2.
While their clearance had been widely expected, the NCAA can always make these situations more complicated than anticipated. UNC fans only need to look at the Bogavac situation from last year, when he wasn’t cleared until roughly 30 minutes before the season opener.
Perhaps UNC learned from that experience and made sure everything was handled much earlier this time. Whatever the reason, it appears the situation has already been resolved with plenty of time remaining before the season begins.
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Let’s be honest: Malone probably wouldn’t have offered that level of detail if there were still significant questions surrounding either player’s eligibility. The university clearly appears to have received confirmation that both prospects were cleared, allowing Malone to speak openly about the situation.
And if anyone would know the latest developments, it would be the Tar Heels head coach, especially considering he played a major role in bringing both international prospects to Chapel Hill.
So, if you were already worried about Keita and Samodurov, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Based on Malone’s latest comments, his international duo of big men are fully cleared and ready to go as the Tar Heels continue preparing for the upcoming season.
