Michael Malone Takes Helm of UNC Men’s Basketball

In 2026 the University of North Carolina announced the hiring of Michael Malone, former Denver Nuggets head coach who led the team to the 2023 NBA championship. After turning down the Tar Heels’ offer three times, Malone accepted a fourth invitation, citing a desire to avoid future regrets and to embrace the challenge of leading one of college basketball’s most storied programs.

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Malone entered NBA coaching in 2007, later guiding the Sacramento Kings before joining Denver in 2015. Under his leadership, the Nuggets captured the 2023 title and produced multiple All-Stars, including Nikola Jokic. In early 2025 Malone publicly considered a return to the NBA, with reports documenting his continued presence in Denver before his decision to transition to the collegiate level.

Sports Illustrated

Malone’s first recruiting class features 11 newcomers: freshmen Maximo Adams, Kevin Thomas Jr., and Malloy Smith; international prospects Sayon Keita and Alexandros Samodurov; and a transfer influx that includes South Dakota’s Cameron Fens (eligible for a fifth season) and five portal players—Terrence Brown Jr., Neoklis Avadalas, Matt Able, Angelo Brizzi, and Cade Bennerman. Returning scholarship athletes Jarin Stevenson, Jaydon Young, and Isaiah Denis round out the roster.

Fayetteville Observer

> “Our roster is set for this coming season. We’re excited about that and we think we have a really good mix of returning players, some young freshmen coming in, as well as some transfer portal players, as well as some players from overseas,” — Michael Malone

Fayetteville Observer

The Tar Heels will face N.C. State in the “Tobacco Road Classic” at the First Horizon Coliseum in mid-December, marking the first regular-season meeting in Greensboro in nearly five decades and the inaugural matchup between two first-year head coaches since 1947. Malone, who spent 25 years in the NBA, noted the novelty of such rivalries for him, while also expressing respect for N.C. State coach Justin Gainey.

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> “Unlike Justin, who played at N.C. State, this is all brand new to me. Coming from 25 years in the NBA, you did not have these types of rivalries very often,” — Michael Malone

USA Today

> “It’s an honor to be playing this game,” — Justin Gainey

Fayetteville Observer

Malone emphasized that his recruiting approach centers on identifying players who are “selfless in everything they do” and who understand the tradition of Carolina basketball. A UNC spokesperson confirmed Keita’s freshman classification and Samodurov’s junior status, noting both athletes are cleared for practice and competition.

Fayetteville Observer

• 11 incoming players (3 freshmen, 2 international, 6 transfers)

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• 3 returning scholarship players

Fayetteville Observer

• 6 transfer portal additions, including one fifth-year senior (Cameron Fens)

Fayetteville Observer

• First regular-season Greensboro game in ~50 years, featuring two first-year coaches

Fayetteville Observer

• “As we recruit players to this program, we want to bring in guys that understand, are truly selfless in everything they do and understand that this is Carolina basketball,” — Michael Malone

USA Today

• “Our roster is set for this coming season. We’re excited about that and we think we have a really good mix of returning players, some young freshmen coming in, as well as some transfer portal players, as well as some players from overseas,” — Michael Malone

Fayetteville Observer

• “Unlike Justin, who played at N.C. State, this is all brand new to me. Coming from 25 years in the NBA, you did not have these types of rivalries very often,” — Michael Malone

Fayetteville Observer

• “It’s an honor to be playing this game,” — Justin Gainey

Fayetteville Observer