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North Carolina Forward Enters Transfer Portal With Bizarre Intentions

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mathey Gibson | Last updated Apr 21, 2025 12:17 PM ET

In one of the more surprising portal moves of the offseason, North Carolina big man Ven-Allen Lubin entered the transfer portal on Monday—but says he still intends to remain with the Tar Heels.

Yes, really.

Lubin told "The Field of 68" that his decision is tied to the pending NCAA settlement involving the House v. NCAA case, and not because he’s looking to leave Chapel Hill.

“Before anybody jumps to the wrong conclusion, I am letting everyone know that I am entering the transfer portal with full intent on returning to UNC,” Lubin said in a statement. “My action relates to the complexities surrounding the possible approval of the pending NCAA settlement.”

North Carolina big man Ven-Allen Lubin will enter the transfer portal, he told @TheFieldOf68, but still intends to remain in Chapel Hill.

""Before anybody jumps to the wrong conclusion, I am letting everyone know that I am entering the transfer portal with full intent on…
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 21, 2025

It’s a savvy move, and one that insiders say is becoming more common.

According to The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman, Lubin’s deal with UNC involved a third-party NIL agreement.

Ven-Allen Lubin's deal with UNC involved a third-party deal and he is just protecting himself from the potential issues post-House settlement, source told @TheFieldOf68.

It's actually a really smart business decision just to protect himself and also give himself some leverage. https://t.co/X2EN1fSkYH
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 21, 2025

Entering the portal helps him protect himself legally and financially in case the House settlement changes how those deals are handled going forward.

As far as on-court production goes, Lubin was a late-season force for the Tar Heels. He averaged 8.6 points and a team-high 5.6 rebounds over the season, but really caught fire in the final stretch, posting 13.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game across the last 10 contests.

He also had four double-doubles in his last six games and scored in double figures in all 10 to close the season.

So while it may look like UNC is losing a key piece, don’t panic just yet—Lubin appears to be playing the long game.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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