When you think Michael Malone has finished building his first UNC basketball roster, the Tar Heels' head coach keeps proving there's still work to be done. Creating essentially a brand-new squad from scratch, North Carolina continues to aggressively target transfer portal talent—especially in the frontcourt.

Malone recently secured a commitment from standout international big man Sayon Keita, who is expected to start in Chapel Hill from Day One. The Tar Heels' highest-profile addition so far has been Utah guard Terrence Brown, who nearly averaged 20 points per game last season. But now, UNC has set its sights on a defensive force from Florida Atlantic.

Devin Williams, a 6'10" center for the Owls, emerged as one of the nation's elite shot-blockers during the 2025-26 campaign. Starting all 33 games, Williams averaged 7.5 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 51 percent from the field. His real specialty, however, came on the defensive end: averaging 2.6 blocks per game, tied for third-best in all of Division I.

Williams' journey to this point has been anything but straight. He began his college career at UCLA in the 2023-24 season, playing just 3.3 minutes per game across 10 appearances. After redshirting the following year, Williams exploded onto the scene at FAU, transforming into one of college basketball's premier rim protectors.

The timing couldn't be better for North Carolina. With Caleb Wilson (1.4 blocks per game) and Henri Veesaar (1.2) both headed to the 2026 NBA Draft, the Tar Heels have lost a significant chunk of their shot-blocking production. Jarin Stevenson (0.7 blocks) is projected to see an uptick in his numbers as a likely starter, and Keita will provide major defensive help in the post. But adding Williams would give UNC a true anchor on defense.

If Malone can land this elite shot-blocker, the buzz in Chapel Hill could reach a whole new level. It's shaping up to be an offseason full of promise for the Tar Heels.