UNC basketball rumors: 3 transfer targets Tar Heels need with Armando Bacot returning

Jameer Nelson Jr. should be the white whale of the transfer portal for UNC basketball

Certainly the most familiar name in the college basketball transfer portal — largely because of our familiarity with his dad at St. Joe’s — is Jameer Nelson Jr. The Delaware guard entered the portal after this past season, which  will be his second time on the move as he began his career at George Washington. Still, as a graduate transfer, he could play a big role for the heels.

Now, it’s worth noting that Nelson transferring to Chapel Hill would be somewhat of a venture into the unknown. We know that the 6-foot-1 guard is an elite scorer that averaged north of 20 points per game for the Blue Hens in the 2022-23 season. But that would also run the risk at North Carolina — especially if Davis returns while Love departs — of having two scoring guards occupying the backcourt.

Broadening the scope, though, Nelson could be an ideal fit. His athleticism off the dribble and in the pick-and-roll could be lethal when paired with Armando Bacot and his playmaking we saw flashes of at Delaware could be further cultivated in a bigger program with better talent around him.

The big key for North Carolina, though, would be if they believe surrounding Nelson with better talent and having him in a different role would allow him to recapture the 36% 3-point shooting he showed in the 2021-22 season, something that UNC basketball, as mentioned, needs greatly.

As of right now, Nelson and his family have played things close to the vest in terms of programs that have reached out. But the Tar Heels need to put their hat in the ring, without question.

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