Explosive SEC Center Hears From UNC Basketball Staff, May Be Priority

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis seems intent on bringing in a top-notch transfer big man.

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The transfer portal has become a necessary part of building success in college basketball. And in three years at the helm in Chapel Hill, UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis has already had a wealth of success with securing transfers.

RELATED: Former Tar Heel Big Man Transfers to MAC Program

Davis is once again very active in the portal this year, and the players UNC has been linked to show that the Tar Heels are determined to bring in a transfer big man for the 2024-25 roster.

UNC has been linked to names such as Arizona’s Oumar Ballo and Kentucky’s Aaron Bradshaw, but both of those players are either committed to other schools or predicted to land elsewhere. However, UNC basketball fans shouldn’t worry, as it appears Davis has his sights on his next target.

On Monday, 247Sports reported that UNC has been in contact with former Tennessee bruiser Jonas Aidoo. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound junior confirmed that he had spoken to the Tar Heel staff since entering his name in the transfer portal on April 11.

Aidoo spent three seasons with the Volunteers and came into Knoxville as a four-star prospect back in 2021. He played two years in a reserve role before breaking out this past season, earning Second Team All-SEC honors as well as a spot on the SEC All-Defensive Team.

The 21-year-old averaged 11.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists this past season for the Vols, playing and starting in all 36 contests. When UNC defeated Tennessee at home in late November, Aidoo put together 13 points and four rebounds in limited minutes due to foul trouble.

6’11 C Jonas Aidoo @Jonasaidooo -
NBA Draft Entry + Transfer Portal Entry

90 Games Played
45 Games Started (All 36 in 23-24’)
11.4 PPG
7.3 RPG
1.8 BPG
51.5% FG@Sim_Frazier @TeamCurry pic.twitter.com/dksMGo36uz

— Nick Jones (@CoachJonesACS) April 11, 2024

He currently sits No. 10 overall on the 247Sports transfer rankings, as well as holding the No. 1 spot among power forwards in the portal.

Plus, it's worth noting that UNC is familiar with Aidoo, who grew up just miles down the road in Durham and was briefly being recruited by the Tar Heels before he chose Tennessee. 

It remains to be seen if the Tar Heels will get Aidoo on campus for an official visit. Nevertheless, he looks to be a priority for the UNC basketball coaches in the coming weeks.

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