1 transfer portal target North Carolina basketball must sign after Michael Malone hire

North Carolina basketball ushered in the Michael Malone era on Monday. UNC attracts a past NBA Finals winner to lead its proud program. Now Malone must attract talent to Chapel Hill amid this transition, including via the transfer portal.

Malone must roll up his sleeves and get straight to reigniting interest in the fanbase. Starting with adding college veteran talent to North Carolina.

UNC even turns to Malone one day before the College Basketball Transfer Portal officially opened. All the more reason why the Heels are making a calculated risk by firing Hubert Davis for Malone.

Malone has lots of roster moves to now address in his newest job. But he can spark interest at and around UNC by going after this high-profile talent.

North Carolina, Michael Malone must pursue Big 12 star

Malone needs a facilitator and scorer for his first Tar Heels team.

There’s no one better than Rob Wright III out of BYU.

Wright is ESPN’s No. 3 overall available transfer as of Thursday. He’s also the No. 5 overall portal target per On3/Rivals.

And the Cougars star is hearing from multiple suitors already according to Joe Tipton of the latter outlet.

“Kentucky, Ohio State and Louisville are among the programs to monitor for Rob Wright, the No. 5 overall player in the portal. His list is expected to grow, as many programs are in need of a starting point guard,” Tipton wrote in his report.

Malone should love Wright’s shooting touch and passing. He could envision the 6-foot-1 Wright as a smaller version of his past Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray.

Malone’s first North Carolina team must lean into experienced CBB players

Here’s how Malone creates a rather stress-free environment during his first UNC run: Forming a veteran lineup.

He doesn’t need to go the John Calipari at Kentucky route by relying on four and five-star freshmen. Yes he’ll need to win over future talent out of high school post Caleb Wilson. But Malone is better off tapping heavily into the portal market for the first two seasons.

Prized former blue chip recruits don’t need to be the emphasis either. Malone can swoop up players fresh off a March Madness run. That aspect can help form an immediate Atlantic Coast Conference title contender.

Adding Wright is one epic way to start. Malone grabs a talent who delivered five 25+ point games while facing Big 12 competition. He’ll especially love how Wright lit up national power Texas Tech by averaging 27.5 points per game against them twice.

Wright is garnering lots of attention immediately in the portal. Malone can prove how aggressive he is by coaxing and winning over the exiting BYU star.

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