Heel Tough Blog: Heels Conduct Zoom Call With Robert Morris Transfer

Robert Morris University Athletics

The primary focus for the UNC roster is centered around Matt Able’s pending decision whether to play college basketball next season, or begin his NBA journey, and keep his name in the draft after a strong showing in the NBA combine. In addition to that, Carolina is also awaiting the decision of Alexandros Samodurov, who is expected to withdraw from the NBA Draft and sign with the Tar Heels, but nothing is official as of this moment. Michael Malone still has two roster spots to fill for the 2026-27 season, and just when we thought he had contacted all the players he’d be interested in for next season, another name emerged at the end of last week. 

According to Inside Carolina and other sources close to the UNC program, and around college basketball in general, confirmed late last week that Malone and the Tar Heels hosted a Zoom call with Robert Morris transfer, Josh Hill, a 6-11 forward, who is looking to play at his third school in as many seasons. Hill only played in 22 games last year for Robert Morris, but averaged 7.5 points and 4.4 rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench, while shooting 46% from the field and 29% from behind the arc. Hill began his career at Arkansas State, where, as a freshman, he averaged 3.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and shot 38% from the field. He’s only played in 39 games across his first two seasons of college basketball, and for his career, he’s averaged 5.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, while shooting 44% from the field and 28% from behind the arc. 

A foot injury limited Hill’s availability down the stretch last season for a Colonials team that finished in the Horizon League in the regular season, before falling in the semifinal round of the conference tournament. In Hill’s last game at Robert Morris, he scored 7 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in a loss at Purdue Fort-Wayne. 

On the surface, this is nothing more than Michael Malone and the UNC staff doing their due diligence on a player that is still available in the transfer portal, but has also the size the staff values, with an upside that, with this coaching staff, could unlock more production. With the potential addition of Alexandros Samodurov still hanging in the balance, it’s important to remember that Carolina’s frontcourt, while revamped, doesn’t guarantee it will be what this roster needs it to be. Outside of Jarin Stevenson, it’s unknown how Sayon Keita’s game will transfer once he arrives in Chapel Hill from Spain, and Cade Bennerman, while being a former three-star recruit with upside, has yet to play a minute of college basketball, after reshirting at Northwesterm. Hill may be a former Horizon League player, but you can’t argue with 7.5 points and 4.4 rebounds in 17 minutes, which is why Malone hosted him on a Zoom call, as he’s still working to fill out his roster, while working the recruiting trail. 

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