Triangle NCAA transfer portal updates: UNC, Duke, NC State

College basketball’s free agency period is in full swing and Duke, North Carolina and NC State are all impacted.

The NCAA transfer portal is the place where players seeking a new home get connected with schools seeking their services.

With more than 1,400 players having entered their names in he portal, The News and Observer sports team will keep track of the comings and goings from the Triangle’s three ACC schools here. This file will be updated regularly as the Blue Devils, Tar Heels and Wolfpack add players or see their own players put their names in the NCAA transfer portal.

duke

The Blue Devils have seen one player enter the transfer portal and they are currently in contact with two players who could be coming to Duke for next season.

On the way out —

Michael Savarino, guard: The 6-foot Savarino, who is Mike Krzyzewski’s grandson, was a walk-on at Duke following his high school career at Durham Academy. Following two years in that role from 2019-21, Savarino was given a scholarship for the 2021-22 season. He played in 11 games last season. He’s on track to complete his Duke degree this summer and is looking to transfer to a smaller program where he can compete for playing time.

Prospects who could be arriving —

Ryan Young, center: The 6-10, 240-pound Young, formerly at Northwestern, is scheduled to visit Duke’s campus this week. He averaged nine points and four rebounds in 30 games last season as a junior with the Wildcats, playing 17 minutes per game as a reserve. He entered the transfer portal on March 24 and has two years of eligibility remaining. Duke is looking for an experienced post player to fill the role Theo John played behind Mark Williams last season. This looks like a good fit.

Kale Catchings, forward: After four seasons playing for Tommy Amaker at Harvard, Catchings has one season of eligibility remaining due the NCAA’s COVID-19 guidelines. Since the Ivy League doesn’t allow graduates to continue playing, he’s looking to play one more season. The 6-6, 220-pound Catchings, from O’Fallon, Missouri in suburban St. Louis, started 24 games for Harvard last season, averaging 9.1 points and four rebounds.

NC State

The Wolfpack has seen three of its players enter the transfer portal and the program has received commitments from two players who are coming to NC State for next season.

On the way out —

Manny Bates, center: Missed all of last season after suffering shoulder injury during NC State’s season-opening game on Nov. 9. The 6-11, 230-pound Bates was among the ACC’s top defensive centers in 2020-21.

Cam Hayes, guard: Has committed to play at LSU next season. The 6-3, 180-pound Hayes averaged seven points and 2.1 assists per game last season for the Wolfpack as a sophomore.

Jaylon Gibson, forward: After playing in 17 games as a freshman for the Wolfpack last season, averaging 0.8 points and 0.9 rebounds per game, the 6-10, 220-pound Gibson has yet to commit to a new school since entering the portal.

On the way in—

Jarkel Joiner, guard: An Oxford, Mississippi native, Joiner played the last four seasons at Mississippi. The 6-1 point guard, who has committed to join NC State this summer, scored 13.2 points per game while hitting 41% of his shots for the Rebels last season. He averaged double figures in scoring all four seasons with Mississippi.

Jack Clark, guard: At LaSalle last season, the 6-8 Clark averaged 12 points and 5.8 rebounds per game as a junior. He committed to NC State and gives the Wolfpack a much-needed perimeter scoring threat.

North Carolina

On the way out —

Dawson Garcia, forward: The 6-11, 235-pound Garcia left UNC’s team during the season, citing a family medical situation. He’s committed to play at Minnesota next season, allowing him to return to his home state. He starred at Prior Lake High School at Savage, Minnesota, before playing his freshman season at Marquette in 2020-21.

Anthony Harris, guard: Originally a Virginia Tech commit in 2019, the 6-4 Harris came to UNC instead but tore the ACL in his right knee in a December 2019 game as a freshman. He played in 16 games during the 2020-21 season but only 14 last season.