CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) – The North Carolina men’s basketball team bolstered its roster for next season with a much-needed addition to the frontcourt.
Vanderbilt transfer Ven-Allen Lubin announced his commitment to the Tar Heels on Thursday.
One of the best remaining big men in the transfer portal, the 6-foot-8 forward is coming off a breakout year with the Commodores, averaging 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 50% from the field during the 2023-24 season. He finished his sophomore campaign on a high note, recording 16.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game over the final nine contests of the season, including three double-double outings.
Lubin’s notable performances include closing out the regular season with 25 points and 11 rebounds against Florida, as well as racking up 21 points and 10 rebounds in the Southeastern Conference Tournament loss to Arkansas.
UNC will be the third school in three years for the Orlando, Florida native, who spent his first college season at Notre Dame prior to transferring to Vanderbilt.
This addition marks a significant one for UNC head coach Hubert Davis and his coaching staff following the departures of Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram. Lubin will join a frontcourt accompanied by graduate student Jae’Lyn Withers (4.2 points, 3.6 rebounds) and rising junior Jalen Washington (3.9 points, 2.6 rebounds) next season.
Lubin is the second player out of the NCAA transfer portal who committed to the Tar Heels over the offseason, along with Belmont sharpshooting forward and Union County native Cade Tyson. Both will have two years of eligibility left in their collegiate careers.