North Carolina HC Michael Malone to meet with top Wake Forest transfer

Michael Malone and the North Carolina Tar Heels are looking forward to pursuing a standout player from Wake Forest. That star in the transfer portal happens to be Juke Harris.

North Carolina is embracing a new era in its program history, moving on from Hubert Davis and hiring Malone as their next head coach. Malone brings extensive coaching experience from the NBA, leading the Denver Nuggets to the 2023 championship.

Malone looks forward to his time with the program in the college basketball world. While he builds the roster for the 2026-27 season, he and the coaching staff intend on convincing Harris to join the Tar Heels, per On3 reporter Sherrell McMillan.

“They’ll be heading to Salisbury, N.C. for an in-home visit with Wake Forest transfer Juke Harris, a source close to the recruitment confirmed to Inside Carolina late Saturday night,” McMillan wrote.

“Harris is ranked the No. 3 overall player in the transfer portal by On3. He’s been linked to Tennessee, N.C. State, and Michigan, among others. Harris returned from an official visit to Ann Arbor on Saturday where he attended the team’s national championship parade.”

What lies ahead for Michael Malone, North Carolina

It would be a solid pickup for Michael Malone and North Carolina to land Juke Harris from Wake Forest.

Harris enjoyed a breakout campaign in his sophomore year last season, earning 2nd team All-ACC honors in the process. He did this by massively expanding his scoring production, going from 6.1 points per game as a freshman to 21.3 points.

Harris scored 28 points against the Tar Heels on their homecourt earlier this January, shooting 10-for-18 from the field. His best scoring performance involved a 38-point explosion against Boston College on the road.

North Carolina had a solid 2025-26 campaign, finishing with a 24-9 overall record. However, they crashed out of the first round after losing in an upset to VCU, resulting in Hubert Davis’ dismissal after their season ended.

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