Tar Heels Host Key Transfer Target Amid Roster Revamp

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The North Carolina Tar Heels are actively restructuring their basketball roster as a critical offseason unfolds. Following the departures of Elliot Cadeau, Jalen Washington, and Ian Jackson to the transfer portal, alongside RJ Davis and Jae'Lyn Withers exiting due to lost eligibility, enhancing their lineup is an urgent priority.

In a promising development, the Tar Heels are set to host BYU wing Kanon Catchings for an official visit this Friday. This marks the first opportunity for campus visits to resume after the NCAA’s week-long “dead period,” which restricted such engagements.

Catchings, a 6-foot-9 freshman, averaged 7.3 points and 2.2 rebounds per game during his single season at BYU. Originally a four-star recruit, he chose the Cougars from several offers, including Georgia, where he had visited prior to entering the transfer portal.

With Washington’s departure, UNC is poised to seek a player who can fill his role. Catchings is considered an ideal fit for head coach Hubert Davis’ vision for the team. However, the Tar Heels face stiff competition, as multiple programs have shown interest in the young forward.

Additionally, UNC secured commitments from two other players, wing Jonathan Powell and center Henri Veesaar, as they work to bolster their roster.

Meanwhile, the Virginia Cavaliers are also in the fray as they look to integrate key transfers. Florida native Koby White, a 6-foot-3 guard from North Dakota State, has declared his intentions and is reportedly weighing offers from Virginia and other schools.

White started 29 games for North Dakota State in the 2024-25 season, averaging 17.1 points and 4.3 rebounds. He distinguished himself with a shooting percentage of 45.2 percent from the field and nearly 40 percent from three-point range. According to college basketball analyst Isaac Trotter, White’s skills as a catch-and-shoot shooter position him as a versatile player suited for various roles on a high-major team.

Despite initial red flags regarding his recruitment, he has maintained communication with Virginia’s coaching staff and continues to consider his options.

On another front, Oregon State faces significant challenges as starting forward Martynas Lelevicius plans to enter the transfer portal, sources tell BeaverBlitz. Lelevicius joined the Beavers late in the 2024-25 season after clearing NCAA regulations and managed to start 24 of the team’s games, averaging 8.7 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.

Oregon State has already seen four starters depart this offseason, leaving them with only one returning player expected from last season’s starting lineup. The team will need to reassemble quickly to remain competitive.

As the college basketball landscape continues to shift dramatically, the outcome of these transfers and commitments will shape the programs moving forward. Fans can follow updates on transfer portal developments through various channels, including dedicated sports news outlets like 247Sports.