UNC earns commitment from Avdalas in Malone's first big portal win

Neoklis Avdalas. Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

North Carolina earns commitment from Neoklis Avdalas in Michael Malone's first big transfer portal win

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Apr 13, 2026 5:32 PM ET

Michael Malone undoubtedly knows that he has to hit the ground running with the North Carolina Tar Heels.

The expectations are too high, and the pressure is too great. He's got to get it right quickly in Chapel Hill because championships are the only thing that matters anymore. They've always mattered, of course, but that mindset is even more prominent in today's sports culture, which is fixated on instant gratification.

Malone has been on the job for less than a few weeks, but he's already had to get to work with the transfer portal having opened on April 7.

To that point, Malone and the Tar Heels did just recently pick up a big portal win, according to On3. That comes in the form of Virginia Tech transfer Neoklis Avdalas.

BREAKING: Virginia Tech transfer guard Neoklis Avdalas has committed to North Carolina, @JoeTipton reportshttps://t.co/mzMe9luCgH pic.twitter.com/yvJxFajL03
— On3 (@On3) April 13, 2026

Neoklis Avdalas is first major portal win for North Carolina's Michael Malone

Avdalas checks in at 6-foot-9 and he's a native of Greece. He played his freshman season of college ball with the Virginia Tech Hokies, averaging 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.

He had a freshman season that was brimming with potential, so UNC has to be thrilled that he decided to transfer.

Avdalas notched a 33-point game in just his second appearance on the college hardwood as he went 5-for-8 from three in a win over Providence. Notably, he also put up 19 points and five assists in a game against North Carolina.

One has to imagine that Malone and the Tar Heels sold him on being able to tap into his true potential, though, because Avdalas has received some NBA hype in the past. In fact, he went through the NBA Draft process last spring before withdrawing his name.

Avdalas is a former four-star recruit, ranked as the No. 11 shooting guard in the 2025 class.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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