UNC Basketball Staff Eyes Elite Bucket-Getter in Transfer Portal

UNC basketball has been no stranger to high-scoring guards, and a recent report suggests another one could find his way to Chapel Hill.

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

In his three seasons at the helm of UNC basketball, head coach Hubert Davis has had the talented scoring ability of RJ Davis at his disposal. But with the potential for the 2024 ACC Player of the Year to begin his professional career, it appears Davis may have set his sights on a potential replacement.

RELATED: Top-Ranked Transfer Plans to Visit UNC Soon

The Athletic’s Tobias Bass reported early Thursday afternoon that UNC has been in contact with former Oregon State guard Jordan Pope, who entered his name in the transfer portal earlier this month.

Pope, who spent his first two seasons with the Beavers, is a durable, high-scoring guard who has started 63 of 64 career games at Oregon State. This past season, the 6-foot-2 talent averaged 17.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 37.1 percent beyond the arc.

NEWS: Since entering the transfer portal, Jordan Pope has heard from

Cal
Miami
Florida
Baylor
Texas
Texas A&M
Kansas
Xavier
Illinois
Michigan
Louisville
UNC
Arizona
Villanova

Pope averaged 17.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game @TheAthleticCBB pic.twitter.com/4zouEu7TgW

— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) April 11, 2024

The sophomore, who has yet to miss a game in his college career, scored in double figures in all but one of the Beavers' games this past season. He was also near automatic at the charity stripe, finishing 94-for-107 at the free throw line to the tune of 87.9 percent.

Bass reported that Pope has also heard from a collection of other high-major schools, including Arizona, Baylor, Cal, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Texas, Texas A&M, Villanova, and Xavier. 

Jordan Pope currently checks in as the No. 40 player on the 247Sports transfer portal rankings, just six spots below fellow Tar Heel target Aaron Bradshaw.

With UNC basketball’s loss of Seth Trimble to the portal and potentially RJ Davis to the pro ranks, Pope could be a valuable addition for Davis and the Tar Heels next season.

RELATED: UNC Guard Pens Goodbye to Tar Heels

Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI for more updates on upcoming player decisions and other UNC basketball news.