Matt Able Finds Intriguing New Home for Sophomore Season

While the constant movement can be exhausting for the everyday fan, the transfer portal does allow players fresh starts and new opportunities, especially when things don’t quite work out as expected. This is great in particular after head coaching changes and Matt Able is certainly thankful that he’s found what he hopes is a better home at North Carolina after his recent work at rival NC State.

A 6-6 wing originally from Baltimore, Able became a Top 20 recruit in last year’s class after his brilliant work in Florida, landing as a high-profile recruit for new head coach Will Wade and the Wolfpack. With Wade’s recent maneuvering and exit from Raleigh, Able entered the portal after a single season, but his best basketball is clearly in front of him.

North Carolina lands NC State transfer Matt Able

When Able arrived in Raleigh as a star freshman, expectations were sky high for a player many expected could be off to the NBA pretty soon. He’s a very solid shooting guard with solid physicality and explosiveness, though he didn’t really get the chance to show that off. He was certainly part of the equation at NC State, but he wasn’t a starter for the Wolfpack, averaging 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game from the bench.

Able was showcasing himself during nonconference play with a number of double-digit scoring games. He also racked up a ton of steals, including 5 in a win over Boise State, and was a big part of the early rise for NC State. He settled into a solid role as a bench presence but did get considerable minutes. His career-best performance actually came with a 19-point effort in a big win over North Carolina in mid-February.

Wade bolted for LSU and Able was left wondering what was next for his own career. This prominent prospect hadn’t quite earned his way into the fold but was still showing glimpses of brilliance. Now he’ll get a chance to be part of a new lineup up at Chapel Hill, joining new coach Mike Malone and a Tar Heels squad hoping to surprise some people here in the very near future.

Able isn’t even the only Tar Heel guard added today, as that staff snagged Terrence Brown from Utah earlier on Tuesday. Combine them with former Virginia Tech guard Neoklis Avdalas and you have some very strong backcourt pieces in place for the Tar Heels. We’re still days or weeks away from seeing how this lineup comes together as a whole, but Able certainly has the opportunity to play his way into a larger role, especially if he takes that expected step forward in year two. Could we see him in the NBA in a year or two?

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