Armando Bacot and RJ Davis of the UNC basketball team talk about the Tar Heels’ Senior Night
Following the UNC basketball team’s victory over Notre Dame, Armando Bacot and RJ Davis were among the Tar Heels to talk about Senior Night at the Smith Center.
Tyzhaun Claude, who transferred from Georgia Tech, has joined the UNC basketball team, Claude announced in a social media post on Wednesday.
A week after the NCAA granted him another year of eligibility and fall classes at UNC are scheduled to begin Aug. 19, Claude will join the Tar Heels in 2024-25.
With Claude’s signing, fourth-year coach Hubert Davis has added another veteran player who should boost UNC’s rebounding numbers. Fifth-year senior RJ Davis and sophomore Elliot Cadeau are returning starters from last season, but the Tar Heels need to replace their main options in the frontcourt.
In early August, RJ Davis told the Fayetteville Observer that rebounding was now more of a team effort since Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram, UNC’s top two rebounders last season, were no longer on the roster.
Claude, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound forward, averaged 4.8 points and 5.2 rebounds in 32 games for the Yellow Jackets last season. Here’s a closer look at Claude’s roster and how he can help the Tar Heels this season.
Rebounds are the key for Tyzhaun Claude to move to the Tar Heels
If you just look at Claude’s averages for points and rebounds, the numbers aren’t exactly striking.
But if you break it down, Claude was No. 10 in the country in offensive rebounding percentage (15.7%) last season, according to KenPom.com. In conference games, Claude led the ACC in offensive rebounding percentage (16%) and grabbed at least three offensive rebounds in nine of 20 league games.
Claude had nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks against the Tar Heels in Georgia Tech’s 74-73 win over UNC. The Goldsboro native began his career at Morehead State but missed most of two seasons there due to a knee injury.
After transferring to Western Carolina, Claude averaged 15.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. If he can deliver rebounding for the Tar Heels, Hubert Davis will give the veteran playing time.
UNC basketball squad 2024-25 around Tyzhaun Claude
In addition to Claude, the Tar Heels have signed two other players through the transfer portal: Belmont wing Cade Tyson and Vanberbilt forward Ven-Allen Lubin. In addition to Lubin, who averaged 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for the Commodores, returning players Jalen Washington (3.9 points per game, 2.6 rebounds per game) and Jae’Lyn Withers (4.2 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game) are considered UNC’s most important frontcourt options in terms of rebounding.
The Tar Heels have also signed athletes with three new freshmen: guard Ian Jackson, wing Drake Powell and forward James Brown. Sophomore forward Zayden High could also get more playing time in the post this season. Claude’s experience and recent success on the boards could add valuable depth to a team that has some extra scholarships.
Editor Rodd Baxley can be reached at [email protected] or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.
