Just a few nights before the tip of the 2024-25 basketball season, the Tar Heels have gotten confirmation that they will be at full strength when they take the court against Elon.
According to an official statement put out by EZ Sports Group, transfer forward Tyzhaun Claude has officially been deemed eligible for the 2024-25 season. This news comes after reports of his eligibility was still being processed before the Tar Heels exhibition matchup with Memphis a couple of weeks ago. The eligibility issues prevented him from playing in both of the team’s exhibitions after he played 10 minutes in the blue-white scrimmage, scored five points and grabbed six rebounds.
The Tar Heels added Claude from the transfer portal in mid-August just days after the NCAA granted his waiver for an extra year of eligibility. He played previously at Morehead State, Western Carolina, and last season at Georgia Tech. During his 2022-23 season at Western Carolina, Claude averaged 15.4 points per game, and 8.6 rebounds, while being named to the 2022-23 All-Southern Conference team. His lone season at Georgia Tech, saw him post 4.8 points and 5.2 rebounds. Across his three previous stops, Claude has started 51 games, while appearing in 102 overall.
Figuring out Claude’s role will have to be something that the coaching staff does on the fly early in the season since they were unable to do so during the team’s two exhibitions. The expectation is that he will be a depth piece that can contribute as a rebounder and rim protector in small quantities.