Once the transfer portal opened up, and the Tar Heels started recruiting the players looking to transfer, the top priority for Hubert Davis, was to find a big man to replace Armando Bacot, after his legendary career came to an end. UNC has looked far and wide to find that guy, but unfortunately, that search will have to continue, after Jonas Aidoo, the best big man in the transfer portal out of Tennessee, is staying in the SEC, and will play for John Calipari at Arkansas. Aidoo, was a second-team All-SEC member last season while being on the SEC All-Defensive team. He averaged over 12 points per game, and led the Vols in rebounding, on their way to the SEC regular season title, and a run to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.
Aidoo would’ve been a natural fit in Chapel Hill, with all the talent in the backcourt, he would’ve been a rim runner, who would’ve been asked to protect the rim on one end, and grab offensive rebounds, on the other. With the NIL commitment that Arkansas has made along with the Calipari hire, there’s no doubt that aspect of it played a role in him landing in Fayetteville, along with the chance to play for Naismith Hall of Famer, and national champion winning head coach.
After missing out on Aaron Bradshaw, Danny Wolf, and now Jonas Aidoo, Hubert Davis and his staff will now put all of their attention and focus into Rutgers transfer, Clifford Omoruyi, who has UNC in his final 12 schools and is expected to be on campus on Thursday. But after yesterday, it appeared as if Omoruyi was Alabama bound, but if he still visits Chapel Hill, that can change.
If Carolina were to miss out on Omoruyi, it wouldn't prohibit them from bringing in a big man for 2024-25, but that big man wouldn’t be as high profile as they would’ve hoped, and would more than likely open the door for Jalen Washington to start, as he prepares to enter his junior season. That wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it’s unknown if Carolina’s frontcourt would be championship caliber with Washington playing significant minutes consistently.
The Four Corners Podcast: