UNC Guard Jaydon Young Entering Transfer Portal

Young open to returning to Tar Heels as program searches for new head coach

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:52pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball player's movements broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of Carolina blue, white, and black, conveying the uncertainty and transition surrounding the player's future.As UNC searches for a new coach, a talented guard explores his options in the transfer portal.Chapel Hill Today

North Carolina guard Jaydon Young plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on Tuesday, though he remains open to returning to the Tar Heels as the program continues its search for a new head coach. Young, a Goldsboro, North Carolina native, saw limited playing time in his lone season with UNC last year, averaging 1.8 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in 7.2 minutes per game.

Why it matters

Young's decision to enter the transfer portal comes as UNC is in the midst of a coaching search after Hubert Davis was fired following a disappointing season. The Tar Heels are looking to rebuild their roster and Young's potential return could provide a boost, though he may also choose to continue his career elsewhere.

The details

Young, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound guard, spent his first two seasons at Virginia Tech before transferring to UNC last year. In his final season with the Hokies, he played 22.4 minutes per game and averaged 8.1 points, starting 10 of 32 games. With one season of eligibility remaining, Young is now exploring his options as he looks to find the best fit for the final year of his college basketball career.

  • Young plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal on Tuesday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Jaydon Young

A 6-foot-4, 200-pound guard who spent his first two seasons at Virginia Tech before transferring to North Carolina for the 2025-26 season.

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What they’re saying

“Young intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on Tuesday.”

— Jaydon Young

What’s next

As Young explores his options in the transfer portal, UNC will continue its search for a new head coach to lead the program moving forward.

The takeaway

Jaydon Young's decision to enter the transfer portal comes at a pivotal time for the North Carolina basketball program, as the Tar Heels look to rebuild their roster and find a new head coach. Young's potential return could provide a boost, but he may also choose to continue his career elsewhere as he seeks the best fit for the final year of his college eligibility.