North Carolina’s carefully constructed transfer portal haul has already suffered one significant blow with another top recruit walking away, and the last thing Michael Malone needs is another setback before his first season even tips off. Unfortunately for the Tar Heels, that danger is very real—and it centers on his accelerating momentum in the NBA Draft process.
Able, a 6-foot-5 guard who transferred from NC State, committed to UNC on April 21 with the expectation that he would be a key piece of Malone’s rotation next season. At the same time, however, he put his name into the NBA Draft pool, keeping his professional options open. That decision took on far more weight when Able earned an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine, a development that instantly raised the stakes for everyone in Chapel Hill.
At the moment, Able is viewed as a likely second-round selection if he remains in the draft. That projection has led many around the program to assume he’ll ultimately return to college, take on a starring role at UNC, and try to elevate his stock for next year. But that outcome is far from guaranteed—and recent comments suggest his focus may be drifting firmly toward the professional path.
In an interview with No Ceilings, Able spoke candidly about his lifelong ambition to reach the NBA, and his words didn’t exactly sound like those of a player planning on another year in college.
He explained that training for the draft isn’t just about testing the waters—it’s about chasing a dream he’s had since childhood. Inspired by his father’s own college and professional basketball career, Able said his motivation now is rooted in success at the highest level and the ability to provide for his family and loved ones. It was a deeply personal answer, but also one that underscored just how seriously he’s taking this opportunity.
Some UNC fans have also fixated on a subtle but telling detail from that interview: Able was wearing NC State gear while speaking. On the surface, it’s understandable—he just finished his freshman season there, and that’s the equipment he has while preparing for the draft in Los Angeles. Still, given the intensity of the NC State–UNC rivalry and what it represents, the optics haven’t exactly eased nerves in Chapel Hill. For a player fully locked in on becoming a Tar Heel, even small signals can matter.
It’s worth noting that No Ceilings is an NBA Draft-focused outlet, not a college basketball one. Their questions weren’t designed to explore the possibility of Able returning to UNC, and his answers reflected that context. Even so, the tone and substance of his comments painted the picture of a player singularly focused on making his NBA dream a reality this summer.
Ultimately, everything will hinge on the feedback Able receives at the NBA Draft Combine, which runs from May 10–17 in Chicago. His current standing is encouraging—he recently came off the board 42nd overall in a mock draft published by ESPN. If that evaluation holds steady through the May 27 deadline to withdraw from the draft, it may be hard for him to justify passing up the opportunity.
The real danger for UNC is what happens if Able excels at the combine and pushes his stock into late first-round territory. In that scenario, the Tar Heels could suddenly lose their projected starting shooting guard, forcing Malone and his staff into a brutal scramble at a time when most quality transfer options are already gone.
For a program already adjusting to change and trying to build momentum under a new head coach, losing Able would be a worst-case outcome. Over the next few weeks, UNC fans will be watching Chicago closely—because Matt Able’s rise could reshape the Tar Heels’ season before it ever begins.