A UNC basketball center is in the transfer portal but plans to return to the program.
North Carolina’s 2025-26 basketball roster is still taking shape here in late April after a flurry of moves regarding the transfer portal. While UNC has seen a few players enter the portal and find new homes, they have also added four more players.
But on Monday, a key piece to next year’s rotation made a big decision.
Center Ven-Allen Lubin opted to enter the transfer portal after one year at North Carolina. However, there is a catch to his decision. Lubin is leaving the door open to a return and his plan is to be with the Tar Heels next season.
Here is the message Lubin wrote on social media regarding his decision:
“Before anybody jumps to the wrong conclusion, I am letting everyone know that I am entering the transfer portal with full intent on returning to UNC. My action relates to the complexities surrounding the possible approval of the pending NCAA settlement.”
This is Lubin’s third time in the transfer portal after he spent time with Notre Dame and Vanderbilt. In his first season with UNC, Lubin emerged late in the season as their top center. He appeared in all 37 games and started 20 of those games averaging 8.7 points and 5.5 rebounds.
He finished the season scoring in double figures in each of UNC’s final 11 games.
The transfer portal closes on April 22nd and UNC has already signed center Henri Veesaar out of Arizona to add to its roster. Still, Lubin is expected to earn more minutes this season.
