It was believed to be true that the Tar Heels roster was set for the 2024-25 season, but recent reporting may conflict with that belief. Earlier this week, Inside Carolina reported that UNC was looking at a number of international players to add to the roster for next season, and earlier tonight, Tar Heel Illustrated made it known that one of those players is Julius Halaifonua from New Zealand.
Halaifonua is 7-0, 290-pound center, and even though he’s currently listed in the 2025 class, he could reclassify and join a college roster this season. He has already visited Virginia Tech and is currently being recruited by other major programs including Kentucky and Gonzaga. He caught the eye of the UNC staff while competing in the NBA Academy Games, where his team went 6-0 in the event. He has represented New Zealand in multiple FIBA events, in 2022 he averaged 12.8 points and 9.5 rebounds at the 2022 FIBA U16 Asian Championships, and at the FIBA U17 World Cup, he posted 12 points and 7.1 rebounds.
The Tar Heels went all-out this off-season trying to add a dynamic big to the roster, to help replace the lost production of Armando Bacot, to pair with RJ Davis, the best guard in the country. They failed at every turn, missing on multiple high-profile transfers that chose other big-time programs. Even with the late addition of Vanderbilt transfer, Ven-Allen Lubin, it didn’t feel like enough was done to solidify themselves as legitimate national title contenders.
What’s perplexing about them still looking to add another big, is that the front court is already crowded with four players, featuring Jalen Washington, Zayden High, the aforementioned Lubin, and incoming freshman, James Brown. The fact that Hubert Davis is still looking for more talent, an depth tells you what you need to know about how he feels about his frontcourt going into next season. It’s unknown what Halaifonua will decide to do, but it’s evident that the coaching staff is still looking to add to the roster before next season.
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