In college athletics, you can’t always land every player you target.
Fans naturally hope every top recruit will choose their favorite school, but that’s not realistic. Despite UNC basketball fans’ hopes of seeing Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic suit up in Carolina Blue, they were disappointed once again when he committed to Illinois on Monday — marking the third time he passed on the Tar Heels.
Although Stojakovic appeared to be UNC’s main transfer target, it doesn’t mean the program hasn’t been exploring other options. In fact, shortly after his announcement, new information emerged about another player in the transfer portal who could be a strong fit for North Carolina.
Desmond Claude, a transfer from USC, is scheduled to visit the Florida Gators on Thursday. While he’s been linked to Florida, Joe Tipton of On3 reported that Claude is also considering North Carolina, Kansas, and Virginia as possible destinations.
Interesting development.
According to Tipton, Claude — one of the top guards in the portal — will be visiting Florida but has also been in contact with UNC, Kansas, and Virginia. The 6-foot-6 junior averaged 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game last season for USC.
After a strong 2023–24 campaign at Xavier, Claude successfully transitioned to USC for his junior year, showing he can thrive at a high level — something that should translate well to the ACC.
The New Haven, Connecticut native is a proven starter who offers versatility. His size allows him to play on the wing, but his skills also make him effective as an off-ball guard — making him an attractive option for programs seeking depth.
North Carolina certainly fits that description.
Although some reports suggest the Tar Heels might be finished adding players from the transfer portal, don’t be so sure. If a player becomes available who can strengthen their 2025–26 roster, UNC is absolutely willing to make room.
Leave a Reply