UNC Basketball: Analyzing transfer targets Adou Thiero and Cliff Omoruyi

UNC Basketball transfer target - Adou Thiero

The raw stats don’t stand out much for Thiero, a 6’7 guard/forward from Leetsdale, Pennsylvania. But he’s one of the better overall athletes in all of CBB, finding a way to carve out his own role at Kentucky this past season. He started 19 games, averaging 7.2 ppg and 5.0 rpg in 21 mpg, shooting 49% from the field and 32% from deep in limited attempts.

Thiero is a quality defender and in the right spot, serves as an elite role player who can help a team win. That’s why UNC has been after him, looking for a natural replacement for Harrison Ingram at the four-spot. He proved to be a great transfer pickup in his own right and the Tar Heels are selling Thiero that blueprint, which helped the team win 29 games and earn a 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

North Carolina is in the top 5 for Thiero, a list that includes Kentucky, Arkansas, Pittsburgh, and Indiana. Based on reports and indications, the Hoosiers are out, while the Wildcats, his old team, are looking at other forwards in the portal, including recent pickup, Andrew Carr of Wake Forest.

That leaves a true top-3. Thiero could stay with Coach John Calipari and go to Arkansas, or he could go back home and play for Pittsburgh, who probably could offer him the biggest role. UNC could offer him the easiest path back to national contention and a starting spot at the four. Will that be good enough of a sell for the transfer target?