UNC Basketball Shifts Gears After Andrej Stojakovic’s Commitment to Illinois — Desmond Claude Now in the Crosshairs
The offseason in college basketball is often unpredictable, and for the North Carolina Tar Heels, it’s been a whirlwind of highs, lows, and mid-course adjustments. The latest chapter in their 2025-26 roster build saw UNC fall short in landing one of their top transfer portal targets — Andrej Stojakovic — but rather than dwell on the loss, the Tar Heels are turning their attention to a new and compelling name: Desmond Claude.
On Monday, Stojakovic, a talented wing from California who entered the transfer portal earlier this spring, announced his commitment to Illinois. For UNC fans, it was a tough pill to swallow. Not only was Stojakovic widely considered one of the top available wings in the portal, but it also marked the third time the Tar Heels had come up short in pursuit of the former McDonald’s All-American. He passed on UNC as a high school recruit, again as a mid-season transfer option, and now once more as a portal prize with proven production.
But the disappointment didn’t last long.
A New Focus: Desmond Claude
Shortly after news of Stojakovic’s decision surfaced, reports began to circulate about UNC’s interest in another top-tier transfer — Desmond Claude. A 6-foot-6 guard who just wrapped up a productive junior season at USC, Claude has become one of the most intriguing names left on the board. His combination of size, skill, and versatility makes him a natural fit for a team like North Carolina, which is still looking to fine-tune its backcourt rotation.
Claude’s path to this point is notable. He first made waves at Xavier during the 2023-24 season, where he began to show flashes of elite two-way play. After transferring to USC for the 2024-25 season, he stepped into a starring role and thrived, averaging 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. His ability to create his own shot, distribute the ball, and defend multiple positions makes him a prized asset in today’s college game.
According to On3’s Joe Tipton, Claude is scheduled to visit the Florida Gators on Thursday, but he is also strongly considering North Carolina, Kansas, and Virginia. For a UNC program that prides itself on guard play and positionless offense, Claude checks nearly every box. He has the size to play on the wing, the skills to operate as a secondary ball-handler, and the experience to step into a leadership role from day one.
Why He Fits in Chapel Hill
What makes Claude such a strong potential addition is how seamlessly he could complement UNC’s current roster construction. With R.J. Davis returning for a super-senior season and Elliott Cadeau continuing to develop, adding a multi-faceted guard like Claude would give the Tar Heels flexibility and depth at multiple positions. He could play alongside Davis and Cadeau, or anchor the second unit as a go-to scorer and facilitator.
Moreover, Hubert Davis has made it clear throughout his tenure that culture and fit are just as important as raw talent. Claude’s maturity, work ethic, and on-court poise align with the values UNC looks for in its players. After missing out on a few portal targets earlier this offseason, landing a player like Claude would be a powerful statement — one that says UNC is still in position to contend on the national stage.
Is UNC Done in the Portal? Don’t Count on It
There have been murmurs that North Carolina might be finished with transfer portal additions for this cycle. However, based on their immediate pivot to Claude following the Stojakovic news, it’s clear the Tar Heels are still keeping their options open. Hubert Davis and his staff have shown that they’re willing to be aggressive when the right opportunity arises, and with Claude’s availability and mutual interest, this could be a recruitment to watch closely in the coming days.
In a perfect world, Stojakovic would’ve been the final puzzle piece, but college basketball rarely offers perfect scenarios. What matters now is how programs respond — and UNC’s response has been swift, strategic, and savvy. Desmond Claude might not have been Plan A, but he could prove to be an even better fit in the long run.
As the summer draws near and rosters begin to take shape across the country, North Carolina is once again proving that they’re not just reacting — they’re recalibrating, with eyes firmly set on making another deep run in March.
Stay tuned, because the Tar Heels’ offseason isn’t over yet.
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