UNC Other Sports News
Complete coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels Other Sports News.
NBA Champion J.R. Smith to graduate from N.C. A&T in spring 2026 commencement
Two-time NBA champion
J.R. Smith will graduate from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University during spring 2026 commencement, earning a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies–applied cultural thought. Smith, who joined N.C. A&T after his pro basketball career, enrolled as a student and became part of the university’s men’s golf program. (
WFMY)
Dame Sarr announces return to Duke basketball for 2026-27 season
Another key player for the Duke Blue Devils is returning for the 2026-27 season. Dame Sarr has announced he will return to play a second season for coach Jon Scheyer. Sarr was a late addition to Duke’s 2025 recruiting class, committing in late May last year. Sarr only averaged 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds, but developed into one of Duke's best defenders. (
On3.com)
Wake Forest is giving Gio Lopez a breath of 'fresh air'
Just 80 miles away from UNC after transferring to Wake Forest, quarterback
Gio Lopez is a world apart from the ghosts of last season. He's making considerably less, but he's dancing in the weight room, juking defenders on the practice field, and beaming in front of cameras. He's where he's supposed to be. "Back at the other school, it felt like there's no air." (
ESPN)
Former UNC guard Liza Astakhova commits to BYU Women's Basketball
Former UNC guard
Liza Astakhova has committed to continue her college basketball career at BYU. The Russian guard, who played sparingly at North Carolina last season as a freshman, made the announcement Thursday. Other UNC transfers include
Lanie Grant headed to TCU,
Elina Aarnisalo returning to UCLA, and Taliyah Henderson committing to Clemson. (
Tar Heel Tribune)
Former UNC Forward Taliyah Henderson Commits To Clemson Women's Basketball
Former UNC freshman forward
Taliyah Henderson will continue her career at ACC rival Clemson. Henderson made the announcement Wednesday, saying that she is, "Excited for what’s ahead." She becomes the second Tar Heels player to transfer to Clemson in three years. She only played five minutes in the Tar Heels’ regular-season-ending win over Duke. (
Tar Heel Tribune)
Val Ackerman retires: Big East commish caps one of most important executive careers in hoops history
The Big East was on the brink of power-conference dissolution. If one person was going to save it, Val Ackerman would be that protagonist. The year was 2013. Conference realignment had again redrawn the map of college sports in the previous 18 months, all of it driven by the greed of football. The Big East conference was lacerated as a result. (
CBS Sports)
Inside Louisville’s Relentless Push to Keep Pace Amid College Sports’ Spending Spree
Louisville sits in the crosshairs of a financial conundrum as much as any school. Blessed with ACC affiliation and revenue but burdened by competing against some programs that will always have more resources, the Cardinals have chosen a seemingly quixotic path: embrace fiscal irresponsibility while advocating for a new revenue model. (
Sports Illustrated)
Florida State names Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels its starting QB
Ashton Daniels has been named Florida State’s starting quarterback. The school said Tuesday that the former Auburn Tigers and Stanford Cardinal QB would be the team’s Week 1 starter against New Mexico State. Daniels came to Tallahassee in the offseason after spending one season with the Tigers. Daniels appeared in four games for Auburn in 2025. (
Yahoo! Sports)
Billy Donovan steps down as Chicago Bulls head coach on last day of college transfer portal
Billy Donovan has decided to step down as coach of the Chicago Bulls after six seasons. The Bulls announced Donovan's decision Tuesday, saying they wanted the longtime coach to remain in Chicago but adding that they respected his choice. The Bulls made clear that the organization wanted Donovan back after making sweeping changes to the front office. (
ESPN)
Michigan just won the title. Why doesn't it feel like it? Why portal pressures spoil shining moments
As the cheers, hugs and media crunch continued in the bowels of Lucas Oil Stadium after midnight, agents wasted little time texting the Michigan Wolverines' staff, trying to set up negotiations for players entering the portal. It's a problem quite literally every coaching staff in the country would have opted into. At the same time, how absurd is it? (
CBS Sports)