All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Boasts 'Top Impact Freshman' in ACC

Elliot Cadeau is drawing considerably high expectations ahead of his UNC basketball debut.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball guard Elliot Cadeau (Rodd Baxley-USA TODAY Sports)
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The achievements or shortcomings of the 2023-24 UNC basketball campaign probably most squarely depend on the performances of five-star point guard Elliot Cadeau.

That goes with the territory of being the preseason No. 19 Tar Heels' projected primary floor general and with the hype that surrounds the 19-year-old heralded newbie in Chapel Hill.

Does Cadeau rise to the occasion? His slick passes, tempo-owning handles, and smooth shooting stroke, on full display at Live Action last weekend, suggest he has the talent to do so.

Meanwhile, eight miles away, Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer enjoys the most five-star rookies (four), with the Blue Devils sitting No. 2 in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll released on Monday.

But after recently visiting Tobacco Road and checking out Duke and UNC practices, On3's Jamie Shaw is buying Elliot Cadeau stock this week, as the national expert named the New Jersey native the No. 1 "Top Impact Freshman" in the ACC.

Shaw explained why Cadeau deserves the top spot, ahead of Pitt guard Carlton Carrington and Duke's new top-shelf perimeter duo of oft-underrated Caleb Foster and TikTok sensation Jared McCain:

"There are a lot of expectations this season for UNC and head coach Hubert Davis. A lot of that surrounds the arrival of five-star point guard Elliot Cadeau. The 6-foot-1 point guard comes to Chapel Hill with the reputation of an excellent passer. And he showed that during his play in Nike's EYBL Circuit this summer when he led the regular season in assists (9.3) by more than three per game.

"The question with Cadeau is how quickly he can get caught up to the speed of the game. With UNC being one of the biggest storylines in the ACC this year, Cadeau's emergence could be a major factor in the success of their season."

RELATED: Poll Sees UNC's Hubert Davis on Hot Seat

Elliot Cadeau is one of two scholarship freshmen on the UNC basketball roster, alongside promising four-star power forward Zayden High.

They're among seven new faces in Chapel Hill. The other five are experienced transfers: shooting guard Cormac Ryan, shooting guard Paxson Wojcik, power forward Jae'Lyn Withers, power forward James Okonkwo, and small forward Harrison Ingram.

RELATED: Two Tar Heels Among 'Top 10 Impact Transfers' in ACC

Their season begins on Nov. 6 at home against Radford.

Tar Heels Tease Takeoff for 'Secret Scrimmage'

Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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