Sources: Neoklis Avdalas commits to join UNC, Michael Malone

Virginia Tech switch Neoklis Avdalas you will have dedicated to North Carolinasources informed ESPN, giving new coach Michael Malone his first large addition with the Tar Heels.

Avdalas, a 6-foot-9 native of Greece, averaged 12.1 factors, 3.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists as a freshman in Blacksburg.

In the second recreation of his profession, Avdalas had 33 factors, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, going 5-for-8 from 3-point vary, in a win over Providence. He skyrocketed up in NBA mock drafts on the heels of that recreation, trying like a projected first-round decide.

Avdalas did not construct off the momentum of that recreation, nevertheless, with inconsistent manufacturing and taking pictures struggles all through ACC play. He shot simply 34.7% from the sector towards convention foes.

Despite the uneven play late within the season, Avdalas confirmed flashes of his ceiling, together with a three-game stretch by which he averaged 17 factors, 4 rebounds and 5 assists and shot 52.4% from 3. That run of video games included a 19-point, five-assist efficiency towards his future North Carolina crew.

Avdalas went by way of the NBA draft course of final spring, earlier than withdrawing from the draft and committing to Virginia Tech.

It’s the primary large pickup for Malone, who took over for Hubert Davis earlier this month. Carolina has misplaced seven gamers to the switch portal, however Jaydon Young withdrew and opted to return to Chapel Hill. Starting ahead Jarin Stevenson He additionally introduced he’ll keep and play for Malone. Top-25 recruit Maximo Adams introduced over the weekend he’ll hold his dedication to the Tar Heels.

Henri Veesaar has but to determine on his future, whereas five-star recruit Dylan Mingo has not introduced whether or not he’ll reopen his recruitment.

As for Malone’s teaching employees, the college introduced final week that Malone had employed Arkansas’ Chuck Martin as this system’s affiliate head coach. He’s additionally hiring former Providence head coach Kim English to his employees, sources informed ESPN. English spent 5 seasons as the top coach at Providence and George Mason and has high-major assistant expertise at Tennessee and Colorado.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel contributed to this report.