The North Carolina Tar Heels have not officially confirmed anything yet, but a commitment from Panathinaikos B.C. big man Alexandros Samodurov appears to be nearing announcement.
However, according to Keepin’ It Heel’s Nick Delahanty, the situation is not fully finalized. He noted that reports of Samodurov committing to UNC may be premature, explaining that nothing has been officially completed as of now, even though the recruitment process can change quickly and a decision could still be announced soon.
New head coach Michael Malone is looking to fill a key roster need following Henri Veesaar’s decision to remain in the 2026 NBA Draft. UNC added Sayon Keita in late April, who brings strong rim-running and defensive presence, while Samodurov would offer a different dimension as a potential shooting big man.
Malone previously benefited from versatile, skilled big men during his time in the NBA, and Samodurov’s development could provide a similar offensive upside at the college level.
Samodurov saw limited minutes at Panathinaikos, which features several former NBA players, but that lack of playing time could make a college development path appealing. Despite that, he is already eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft, suggesting he may not stay in college long-term.
For now, it remains to be seen whether UNC can secure his commitment and how quickly his situation will become official.
