The North Carolina Tar Heels could be adding one more player late in the process for the 2024-25 college basketball season as they have talked with NBA Global Academy product Julius Halaifonua.
The 7-foot center out of New Zealand drew the attention of a few programs who are hoping to land him for the upcoming season. But one of North Carolina’s biggest competitors in the race to land him is likely out.
Kentucky Sports Radio is now reporting that the Wildcats are going in a different direction:
Kentucky had its eyes on a 2024 reclass center for its final roster spot ahead of the 2024-25 season. Now, they’re expected to move in a different direction.
Julius Halaifonua, a 7-foot center from the NBA Global Academy (Auckland, New Zealand) is not expected to commit to Kentucky, a source tells KSR+. Schools in the mix include North Carolina and Georgetown.
KSR also notes that the two schools left in the mix for Halaifonua are Georgetown and North Carolina. That’s great news for the Tar Heels’ plans moving forward.
With Armando Bacot gone, the Tar Heels do need to replace his production in the post this season. They welcome back Jalen Washington and Jae’Lyn Withers as well as loaded a commitment from Ven-Allen Lubin. But will it be enough?
Halaifonua has already reclassified from the 2025 class to 2024 and with UNC being a finalist, this could be a big addition for them.
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