dailyloe.com – Virginia Tech transfer Neoklis Avdalas has committed to North Carolina, sources told ESPN. This gives new Tar Heels coach Michael Malone his first significant addition. Avdalas is a 6-foot-9 native of Greece. He averaged 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists as a freshman.
In his second career game, Avdalas scored 33 points against Providence. He also had five rebounds and six assists in that win. Avdalas went 5-for-8 from three-point range in that performance. Following that game, he skyrocketed in NBA mock drafts.
He was viewed as a projected first-round pick at that time. Avdalas did not maintain that early momentum, however. His production and shooting became inconsistent during ACC play. He shot just 34.7% from the field against conference opponents.
Despite late-season struggles, Avdalas showed flashes of his potential. He had a three-game stretch averaging 17 points, four rebounds and five assists. During that run, he shot 52.4% from three-point range. One of those games was a 19-point, five-assist performance against North Carolina.
Avdalas entered the NBA draft process last spring before withdrawing. He then committed to Virginia Tech for his freshman season. His transfer to North Carolina is Malone’s first major roster pickup. Malone took over for former coach Hubert Davis earlier this month.
The Tar Heels have seen seven players enter the transfer portal. Avdalas’s commitment helps address those departures. His addition brings size and playmaking to the Carolina backcourt. The move was reported by ESPN’s Jeff Borzello.[]
Source: ESPN
