Michael Malone confirms full UNC basketball roster is cleared

North Carolina men's basketball head coach Michael Malone announced that his roster is now complete and all players are cleared for the upcoming season. The transition from the NBA to college coaching includes a roster built through the transfer portal and international recruiting.

Specifically, centers Sayon Keita and Alexandros Samodurov have been cleared to play. Keita recently arrived in Chapel Hill after receiving his student visa, allowing the team to begin full integration before formal practices start in late September. Malone noted that having the full roster in class and in workouts is a significant milestone.

Additionally, the university announced the inaugural Tobacco Road Classic, a two-year event featuring a non-conference matchup between UNC and NC State scheduled for December 15 at the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro.