To achieve peak success, sometimes all an athlete needs is a change in scenery.
It could be the coaching, opportunity for a larger role, or even just a personal preference.
One of the biggest names to transfer in college basketball last offseason was Caleb Love, the former UNC guard who transferred to Arizona. Love’s decision paid off, as he enjoyed his best statistical year and was named Pac-12 Player of the Year.
Another college basketball athlete who could use a change in scenery is Mady Sissoko, the former Michigan State center, who entered his name in the transfer portal on Thursday.
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Again – why am I talking about Sissoko, if he has very little with North Carolina?
With Armando Bacot exhausting his eligibility and Harrison Ingram possibly leaving for the NBA this offseason, the Tar Heels could be very thin in the post. UNC returns Jalen Washington, who saw his playing time dwindle as the season progressed, plus it welcomes James Brown as part of the eighth-ranked 2024 recruiting class.
Zayden High will also come back, but he also didn’t play a ton. Same goes for James Okonkwo.
Sissoko would bring some much-needed experience in the post, despite only averaging 15.2 minutes per game last season. Defense would be his calling card – a much-improved area for North Carolina last season, but still one that struggled in losses.
Oh – and did we mentioned Sissoko has one game of familiarity with UNC? Sissoko’s Spartans matched up with the Tar Heels in this year’s Round of 32, with Sissoko scoring four points and grabbing three rebounds during North Carolina’s 85-69 win.
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