Carolina missed a chance at getting Jarin Stevenson when he was a four-star high school recruit out of nearby Seaforth High School in Chatham County, but the Tar Heels might get a second chance at the 2023 North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year.
According to multiple reports, Stevenson, a 6–11, 215-pound forward and a rising junior, entered the transfer portal Wednesday with a “do not contact” tag after averaging only 18.7 minutes, 5.4 points and 3.4 rebounds last season for Alabama.
With Carolina also heavily pursuing BYU’s Kanon Catchings, though, would Coach Hubert Davis try to get both? N.C. State is rumored to be a possible destination for Stevenson.
Stevenson is the third Alabama player to enter the transfer portal after Mo Dioubate, who has committed to Kentucky, and Naas Cunningham.
Stevenson, whose mother Nicole Walker Stevenson played for three ACC championship teams from 1995 to 1998, picked Alabama over UNC, Missouri and Virginia as the No. 41 player in the Class of 2023.
The Tide has won both meetings with UNC during Stevenson’s career. He was scoreless in 15 minutes with four rebounds in the Tide’s 89–87 Sweet 16 victory over UNC in 2024 and had six points and three rebounds in 16 minutes during Alabama’s 94–79 victory on Dec. 4 in the Smith Center.
His best career game was in Alabama’s 103–80 victory at Texas on Feb. 11 when he collected 22 points, four 3-pointers, four rebounds and a block. He has 13 career double-figure scoring games, including 19 points and a career-high five 3-pointers in the Tide’s 89–82 Elite Eight victory over Clemson in 2024.
Stevenson has 14 career games with multiple 3-pointers, six with at least three, three with at least four and the career-high against Clemson.
He started 22 of 37 games for Alabama last season but only started once in the last 12 games, that coming in the 90–81 first-round NCAA tournament victory over Robert Morris.
