The landscape of North Carolina college basketball rosters is undergoing significant changes, with numerous players entering the transfer portal as of April 7, 2026. This trend reflects a broader national movement in NCAA Division I men’s basketball, where over 2,600 players utilized the transfer portal last year, setting a new record.
Despite the official portal-entry window for 2026 not opening until April 7, many student-athletes from in-state teams had already declared their intentions to explore new opportunities. This group includes several starters and standout players from the recently concluded 2025-26 season.
Notable athletes entering the portal include Queens guard Yoav Berman (Atlantic Sun), Campbell guard Jeremiah Johnson (CAA), UNC Greensboro forward Justin Neely (SoCon), Western Carolina guard Cord Stansberry (SoCon), UNC Asheville forward Kameron Taylor (Big South), North Carolina A&T forward Lewis Walker (CAA), and Appalachian State center Luke Wilson, who was named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year.
Changes to NCAA rules have significantly impacted player movement. The 2026 portal window itself is shorter compared to previous years, running for only 15 days from April 7 to April 21, in contrast to the 30-day period in 2025 (March 24-April 22). This follows a general reduction from 45 days in 2024 and 60 days in 2023, based on votes by the NCAA’s Division I Council.
The increasing popularity of the transfer portal is largely attributed to two main factors. Firstly, various lawsuits have led the NCAA to make nearly all transfers immediately eligible at their new institutions. Secondly, the growing availability of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation, which began in 2021, and revenue-sharing opportunities, introduced in 2025, provide greater incentives for players to consider their options.
A player’s official entry into the transfer portal allows other schools to initiate contact without violating NCAA tampering regulations. While players can withdraw their names and remain at their current school, this occurs in a very small percentage of cases. Players must enter the portal within the 15-day window to be immediately eligible at a new school for the upcoming season.
North Carolina Teams with Outgoing Transfers
Several North Carolina-based programs have seen players depart through the portal. The following list details outgoing transfers from various in-state teams, current as of April 7, 2026:
Outgoing NC Basketball Transfers (as of April 7, 2026)Team (Conference)Players Entering PortalAppalachian State (Sun Belt)5Charlotte (American)2Davidson (Atlantic-10)8East Carolina (American)6Gardner-Webb (Big South)5High Point (Big South)2North Carolina A&T (CAA)5NC Central (MEAC)1Queens (Atlantic Sun)6UNC Asheville (Big South)3UNC Greensboro (SoCon)3UNC Wilmington (CAA)0Western Carolina (SoCon)6
Among the individual players who have entered the portal are:
Appalachian State: Jacari Brim (G), Jason Clarke Jr. (PG), Michael Marcus Jr. (F), Tre McKinnon (G/F), Luke Wilson (C), Dovydas Butka (F), Jeremiah Johnson (G).Charlotte: Anton Bonke (C), Jarne Eyenga (F).Davidson: Hunter Adam (G), Roberts Blūms (G), Devin Brown (G), Parker Friedrichsen (G), RJ Greer (G), Joe Hurlburt (F/C), Phillip Kavu (G), Sean Logan (F/C).East Carolina: Tybo Bailey (G), Reid Cason (F), Corey Caulker (PG), Ladontae Felton (G), Trevion LaBeaux (G/F), Isaiah Mbeng (G), Isaac Harrell (F), Ned Hull (G), DeMarco Johnson (PG), Caleb Middleton (C).Gardner-Webb: Julius Clark (G), Colin Hawkins (G), Jacob Hogarth (F), Jacob Hudson (G), Curtis Williams III (F).High Point: Liam Carney (G), Josh Ibukunoluwa (C).North Carolina A&T: Yancarlos Cueto (G), Amadou Doumbia (C), Dwayne Pierce (G), Lewis Walker (F), Lureon Walker (G).NC Central: Gage Lattimore (G).Queens: Yoav Berman (G), Jacob Brandly (G), Danzelle Bullock Coles (G), Maban Jabriel (G), Jimma James (G), Carson Schwieger (F).UNC Asheville: Julian Clarke (PG), Jake Powell (G), Kameron Taylor (G/F).UNC Greensboro: Justin Neely (F), Noah Norgaard (G), KJ Younger (G).Western Carolina: Abdulai Fanta Kabba (C), CJ Hyland (G), Marcus Kell (F), Chase McKey (F), Tahlan Pettway (G), Cord Stansberry (G).
Statistics provided are generally for the 2025-26 season unless otherwise indicated, and eligibility years refer to the 2026-27 season. Players marked with an asterisk (*) were starters for at least half of their team’s games during the past season.
