The portal is closed

Good morning! The deadline to enter college basketball’s transfer portal closed at Midnight so expect to see more names trickling in today (some college students always wait until the last minute to turn in work). Expect the total number of entrants to be north of 2,600.

So let’s get to what was a busy Tuesday of news.

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1. North Carolina’s roster takes shape

The first roster of the Michael Malone era in Chapel Hill is coming together.

North Carolina landed a trio of commitments on Tuesday to help bolster the roster in all areas.

Junior guard Terrence Brown was the biggest prize as No. 28 on our big board of transfer rankings. He averaged 19.9 ppg, shot 45% and was a top-30 scorer for Utah. He'll likely split ball-handling duties with jumbo playmaker Neo Avdalas, but it’ll be interesting to see how Malone fits those pieces together. Brown is a volume shooter — he ranked 13th in %Shots last season with 394 total attempts — so getting him to work within an offense will be important.

UNC snagged another guard in freshman Matt Able, who left NC State for UNC (and ranks 35th on our board). The former top-50 recruit averaged 8.8 ppg and shot 35% from beyond the arc. The third newcomer? Maxime Logue, a 6-9 big man who averaged 4.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg in just 11 mpg for FAU.

The biggest news? No news. Henri Veesaar didn't enter the transfer portal before the portal closed at midnight, so he'll stay in Chapel Hill. The 7-footer averaged 17 ppg, 8.7 rpg, and shot 40% from 3 last year. Having one of the sport’s best big men stay put was a big win.

The Tar Heels also have Jarin Stevenson, who averaged 8.1 ppg and started 25 games in 2025-26, and bring in 5-star wing, Maximo Adams, who likely vie with Able for the final starting spot.

UNC has other spots to fill. More guards would be helpful. Probably another big. But this has the feel of a top-25 level squad.

2. Florida might enter next season ranked No. 1

The best part of NIL? Keeping players from leaving for the NBA has gotten easier.

Florida forward Thomas Haugh will be back for his senior season. He was a potential lottery pick who averaged 17.1 ppg and 6.1 rpg this season and was a first-team All-SEC selection. The Gators’ loss to Iowa in the Round of 32 likely played a factor in his return.

“Truthfully, if we made another deep run, I don’t think we get Tommy back. That was a big part of it in terms of him solidifying his legacy. It’s motivated us greatly for this coming season," Gators coach Todd Golden told ESPN.

The Gators likely will be the No. 1 team in the preseason due to their mix of talent and experience.

Haugh and Alex Condon are back, along with starting point guard Boogie Fland. If big man Rueben Chinyelu passes on the NBA, he’ll also return.

The final starting spot is interesting. If guard Denzel Aberdeen gets a waiver, that's five players who averaged 10+ ppg in the SEC in the Gators' starting lineup. If not, Urban Klavzar, who shot 40% from 3 last year, or Isaiah Brown will likely battle for the final starting spot.

Other notable returners:

• Oklahoma kept Derrion Reid.

• Ian Jackson will be back at St. John’s.

• Kansas big man Paul Mbiya will return.

• Kentucky retained freshman Braydon Hawthorne.

3. Duke lands a scoring star + more portal commits

Two of the top 10 transfers on the Field of 68 top-100 found new homes.

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