Retention isn’t the end-all, be-all in the hunt for National Titles, but it certainly does not hurt.
Hubert Davis has crushed it on the retention front in the 2024 cycle. UNC has had just one player leave via the transfer portal. James Okonkwo, a seldom-used backup big man, vamoosed for more guaranteed playing time at Akron.
After that, though, it’s been headline-free for most of UNC’s potential returners.
Versatile guard and elite defender Seth Trimble entered the transfer portal, but he pivoted and returned to Chapel Hill. That’s like adding a top-100 transfer back to the roster.
Even with North Carolina splurging for the top big men in the transfer portal, soon-to-be-junior Jalen Washington did not hit the transfer portal even though a starting spot isn’t guaranteed.
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Even after All-American RJ Davis, the reigning ACC Player of the Year, announced his return to UNC for Year 5, soon-to-be-sophomore and former five-star point guard Elliot Cadeau did not hit the transfer portal.
Davis is back, Trimble is back and five-star freshman guard Ian Jackson is on the way, but Cadeau still chose to stay, even though he could’ve easily found a cleaner path to a monster role somewhere else.
UConn built a dynasty with retention, player development, high-level recruiting and a splash of the right transfer portal additions to fill its biggest needs. UNC is hoping to follow that exact model.