North Carolina may be getting very close to adding another major piece to its frontcourt.
Reports surfaced Thursday night suggesting that Panathinaikos B.C. big man Alexandros Samodurov could soon commit to the Tar Heels, although nothing has officially been finalized yet. According to Keepin’ It Heel’s Nick Delahanty, sources close to the situation say the pairing is still not complete, even if momentum appears to be building quickly.
That hasn’t stopped speculation from growing around Chapel Hill.
New head coach Michael Malone has spent much of the offseason searching for frontcourt help after Henri Veesaar decided to remain in the 2026 NBA Draft. UNC already added Sayon Keita earlier this spring, but Samodurov would bring a very different skill set to the roster.
At 20 years old, the seven-footer is viewed as a modern-style big man with shooting potential and long-term upside. While Keita projects more as a physical rim protector and interior finisher, Samodurov could give Malone added spacing and offensive versatility.
The fit is especially intriguing considering Malone’s background with the Denver Nuggets, where his offense often revolved around the playmaking ability of Nikola Jokic. While expecting that level of production from Samodurov would be unrealistic, UNC may believe his offensive instincts and size could thrive in a college system designed to maximize skilled frontcourt players.
Samodurov’s path to North Carolina comes after limited opportunities overseas. Panathinaikos featured a veteran-heavy roster loaded with former NBA talent, including Omer Yurtseven, Kenneth Faried, Richaun Holmes, Cedi Osman, and Juancho Hernangomez. Breaking into consistent minutes in that environment was always going to be difficult for a young prospect.
Because of that, many believe the college route could provide Samodurov with the development time he needs before making another push toward the NBA.
Even though he declared for the 2026 NBA Draft earlier this year, the talented big man may benefit from spending a season — or potentially more — in Chapel Hill refining his game against college competition.
For now, North Carolina fans are waiting on an official announcement. But if the Tar Heels can finalize the addition, Michael Malone may have found one of the most intriguing international pieces in college basketball heading into next season.
