In a surprising turn of events, the UNC basketball team has added another guard to its roster

No one saw this one coming—North Carolina quietly picked up a commitment from Virginia Tech transfer Jaydon Young, adding unexpected depth to the backcourt.

Young had originally committed to High Point earlier this offseason, but a change in the coaching staff led him to reconsider his options. That reevaluation brought the 6-foot-4 guard back to his home state, where he’ll now suit up for the Tar Heels.

Props to both Young and UNC—this move was completely off the radar.

Young spent his first two college seasons at Virginia Tech, where he took on a larger role in 2024–25. He averaged 8.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in over 22 minutes per game. He also finished the season strong, scoring in double digits in each of his last six games, including a 27-point effort against Miami and a 26-point showing in an overtime win over Syracuse.

While he’s likely to come off the bench, Young is capable of providing instant offense and energy in whatever role he plays. Though his shooting percentages weren’t stellar—likely due to high shot volume—he could thrive in a more efficient role with better spacing and less pressure at UNC.

This commitment may have come out of nowhere, but it’s a smart move for the Tar Heels. Young gives them valuable guard depth as they retool a roster that will look quite different from last season’s squad.

A second UNC basketball starter arrives at the portal before the deadline.

UNC basketball has now seen several players opt to explore the transfer portal

On Monday morning, just under two days before the portal deadline, Tar Heels forward Ven-Allen Lubin announced his intention to enter the transfer portal.