UNC Basketball: Tyzhaun Claude a needed late addition to frontcourt for 2024-25
One of the biggest player losses in all of college basketball this offseason is Armando Bacot, the all-time double-doubles leader in UNC Basketball history. As a senior, the star center averaged 14.5 ppg and 10.3 rpg for the Heels and combined with starting forward Harrison Ingram off to the NBA, the team had a lot of production to replace.
The Tar Heels were reportedly in the mix for plenty of frontcourt targets but for the most part, struck out. Their most notable pickup was Ven-Allen Lubin, a 6'8 forward from Vanderbilt who averaged 12.3 ppg and 6.3 rpg as a starter. With Jae'lyn Withers and Jalen Washington back, there's size in the frontcourt back but not a ton of proven production.
So what better than a player who has ACC experience? 99% of the power conference-level talent in the transfer portal had already picked a new team but one who was available was Tyzhaun Claude, a 6'8 forward from Goldsboro, North Carolina. He started out his career at Morehead State, before playing at Western Carolina, where he produced 15.4 ppg and 8.6 rpg.
After transferring out to Georgia Tech, Claude was able to carve out a role in the rotation. He averaged 4.8 ppg and 5.2 rpg in 17 mpg off the bench, including eight points and 10 rebounds against Florida State. He's not an All-ACC player but he can give UNC a body for 15+ mpg, something they seemed to be lacking on paper.
Unless guys like Washington, Zayden High, or four-star freshman big James Brown has a breakout role, UNC Basketball will need a collective effort inside, instead of just relying on one individual like they've been able to do with Bacot in the back.
dark. Next. Top 100 impact transfers for 2024-25. Top 100 impact transfers for 2024-25
The good news is that with reigning ACC Basketball Player of the Year guard RJ Davis back, the Heels won't need the frontcourt to carry the load in order to be a Final Four threat next season. But whenever he's "off", can the rest of the roster make up for it in key games? They'll hope that Claude can provide a veteran presence and more depth in the coming months.