Heel Tough Blog: UNC Interested in Top-10 Transfer From the SEC

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On Wednesday, Inside Carolina reported and confirmed the first known transfer portal target for the Tar Heels under new head coach Michael Malone in Arkansas transfer Karter Knox, and on Thursday, we learned that Alabama transfer Aiden Sherrell is also a target of UNC. Sherrel is a 6-10 forward who started every game this past season for the Crimson Tide, averaging 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, on 54% shooting from the field, and 34% shooting from behind the arc. In his entire Alabama career, spanning 70 games, he’s a career 7.2 point per game scorer, with 4.5 rebounds, shooting 53% from the field, and 34% from three. 

A potential key in Sherrell’s transfer portal recruitment is current UNC forward Jarin Stevenson, who joined the Carolina program last off-season, after transferring in from Alabama. On Sherrell’s Instagram post announcing his decision to transfer, Stevenson left a comment, but it’s important to remember that Stevenson, who wasn’t present at Michael Malone’s press conference on Tuesday, has also not announced his decision to either enter the transfer portal or to return to Carolina for his senior season. 

Sherrell was ranked as the No. 32 player in the 2024 recruiting class according to 247Sports, and was ranked as the No. 7 center and the No. 3 player from the state of California. As a transfer, 247 has Sherrel ranked as the No. 9 overall transfer and the No. 2 power forward, making him one of the more sought after recruits in the entire portal. 

Here is how Adam Finklestein, 247’s Director of Scouting evaluated Sherrell back as a high school prospect; “Sherrell is one of the most naturally talented big men in the class with a versatile collection of tools. First, he’s an athletic big man who is approaching seven feet and yet is a fluid mover, runner, and explosive leaper. He can change ends, catch lobs well above the rim, hammer big dunks, and play above the rim on the defensive end. He also possesses some natural skill. He has a soft touch, not just around the rim but facing up. He can make some high released mid-range jumpers and can even make an occasional three, showing long-term potential to space the floor both vertically and to the arc. He even has the soft hands to come up with tough catches in traffic. His versatile tools also extend to the defensive end of the floor where he’s capable of moving his feet to contain ball-screens and protecting the rim. Physically, he has a rare type of elastic body type for his size. He can find himself off balance at times and also needs to keep adding muscle mass to his frame. Consistency is the key with Sherrell. He is as naturally talented as any big man in the class, but very rarely outright dominant. Instead, you see various flashes at times, but it comes in bits and pieces and can often leave you wanting more. The root of that inconsistency could be multi-faceted, but the bottom line is that while he’s already one of the best big men in the country, he’s still a ways away from what he could be.