The winds of change are blowing fiercely through Chapel Hill, and they're already carrying players out the door. Just days after the University of North Carolina dropped a bombshell by hiring NBA champion coach Michael Malone, the roster ripple effect has begun. Guard Kyan Evans and forward Zayden High have both entered the NCAA transfer portal, marking the first departures of the Malone tenure.
A New Sheriff in Town
UNC's move to bring in Malone, the former Denver Nuggets head coach with over 500 professional wins, sent shockwaves through college basketball. He replaces Hubert Davis, who was let go after a first-round NCAA Tournament exit. This isn't just a coaching change; it's a philosophical earthquake. The arrival of a high-profile NBA mind like Malone suggests a potential shift in how the Tar Heels operate, a point not lost on the legendary Mike Krzyzewski.
"There's a learning curve," Coach K noted on The Pat McAfee Show. "Maybe they (UNC) are changing, they now have two pro coaches coaching in college... maybe that's a sign that they're moving in that direction organizationally." This comment, which you can explore more in Coach K's Hilarious UNC Jab Over Malone Hire Has Duke Fans Cheering, highlights the seismic nature of this hire.
Who's Heading Out?
The departing players represent a mix of experience and potential. Kyan Evans, a guard who started 17 games last season after transferring from Colorado State, was a key backcourt piece. His decision to re-enter the portal, first reported by ESPN's Jeff Borzello, is a significant loss.
Forward Zayden High also announced his departure. High provided valuable minutes, especially stepping up when Caleb Wilson was injured late in the season. He showcased his capability with a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double in a crucial win over rival N.C. State. Their exits are the first tangible consequences of the program's dramatic pivot.
Part of a Bigger Wave
These moves aren't happening in a vacuum. They're part of the annual tsunami of player movement that defines the modern college sports landscape. In a staggering display of the portal's power, over 1,000 men's basketball players have already entered since it opened at midnight, as detailed in our report Transfer Portal Tsunami: Over 1,000 Players Seek New Homes in Historic Offseason. Evans and High are now two more names in that historic wave, seeking new homes as their old one undergoes a radical transformation.
What's Next for the Tar Heels?
The immediate question is whether these are isolated cases or the beginning of a larger exodus. Malone's hiring, a move so shocking it was covered in Shocker in Chapel Hill: UNC Lands NBA Champion Mike Malone in Stunning Crossover Move, brings a proven professional system. Some players may thrive under that structure, while others might find it a poor fit for their development style. Malone's personal connection to Chapel Hill—his daughter Bridget is a star for the UNC volleyball team, as noted in Bridget Malone: The UNC Volleyball Star Behind Her Dad's Shocking Tar Heels Move—likely played a role in his decision, but it doesn't guarantee roster stability.
For Evans and High, the portal represents a fresh start and a chance to find a program where their roles are more clearly defined from the outset. For Malone, it's the first task of his new job: managing the outgoing tide while undoubtedly working to bring a new wave of talent into the Carolina blue fold. The offseason in Chapel Hill has officially begun, and if the first 48 hours are any indication, it's going to be anything but quiet.
