Kim English Joins Michael Malone’s UNC Coaching Staff
When the UNC Tar Heels moved on from Hubert Davis and handed the keys to former Denver Nuggets Head Coach Michael Malone, we all knew a massive culture shift was coming. Going from the “Carolina Way” to an NBA championship-winning outsider was a shock to the system. Former Providence Coach Kim English is set to join the staff as an assistant coach.
In the span of a few days, Malone has completely reshaped the narrative around this program. He’s building a powerhouse coaching staff and reeling in high-profile talent from the transfer portal.
Kim English Brings Head Coaching Experience To the Bench
The 37-year-old Baltimore native has officially agreed to join Malone’s staff in Chapel Hill, giving the Tar Heels a young, hungry, and incredibly connected recruiter. For English, this is a phenomenal bounce-back opportunity. Just weeks ago, he was let go by Providence after a gritty but ultimately disappointing three-year stint as their head coach.
College basketball is a carousel, and English just grabbed a golden ring. He brings a wealth of knowledge from his days playing at Missouri and his brief stint with the Detroit Pistons. More importantly, English knows how to relate to today’s players. He’s worked under legends like Rick Barnes at Tennessee. Malone needs guys who can navigate the modern recruiting trail, and English fits that bill perfectly.
He joins a staff that retained Carolina stalwarts Sean May, Pat Sullivan, and Eric Hoots, while also adding Chuck Martin. That is a heavy-hitting room.
The Transfer Portal Heats Up: Enter Neoklis Avdalas
While adding English to the staff is a massive win for the program’s foundation, the product on the floor just got a massive upgrade as well. North Carolina has officially landed Virginia Tech transfer Neoklis Avdalas.
If you aren’t familiar with Avdalas yet, get ready. The 6-foot-9 Greek guard was one of the most coveted prizes in the transfer portal. During his freshman campaign with the Hokies, he stuffed the stat sheet, averaging 12.1 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. He even dropped a jaw-dropping 33 points in an overtime thriller against Providence.
Avdalas is big, he’s physical, and he has a professional pedigree, having played in Greece’s top league before crossing the Atlantic. When you watch him operate, you see a kid who plays with a veteran’s poise. He never seems rushed, picking apart defenses with elite passing vision and a smooth, deliberate pace.
Looking Ahead For UNC Basketball
The Tar Heels aren’t done yet, either. Rumors are swirling that UNC is making a heavy push for Wake Forest transfer Juke Harris, and they’ve secured the return of Forward Jarin Stevenson.
There were plenty of skeptics when North Carolina strayed from their historic coaching tree to bring in Malone. People wondered if an NBA guy could handle the transfer portal, the NIL negotiations, and the relentless pressure of the ACC. Well, the early returns are in. Between securing a top-tier assistant in English and pulling a towering point guard out of the portal, Malone is proving he is more than ready for the college game.
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