The North Carolina Tar Heels have been busy reshaping their frontcourt this offseason, but their latest target in the transfer portal slipped through their fingers.

After losing Henri Veesar to the NBA Draft, head coach Michael Malone and UNC landed a major win earlier this month by securing 7-foot international standout Sayon Keita. The hope was to pair him with another elite defensive presence—a shot-blocking forward who averaged 2.6 blocks per game this past season. That dream, however, has hit a roadblock.

Devin Williams, a 6-foot-10 redshirt sophomore forward formerly of Florida Atlantic, has committed to Seton Hall, according to On3’s Joe Tipton. Williams was a force at the rim this season, posting 7.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game—ranking sixth nationally in blocks during the regular season. A former four-star recruit who began his career at UCLA, Williams has the kind of high-motor, rim-protecting game that programs covet.

Reports from early May indicated that the Tar Heels were among the teams to reach out to Williams after he entered the transfer portal. It's easy to see why. Williams is a relentless shot blocker who thrives as both a primary and help defender, challenging opponents at the rim with confidence. His experience in a high-major environment at UCLA—where he appeared in 10 games as a freshman—also adds value to his profile.

For UNC, adding a player like Williams would have been a natural complement to Keita, giving the Tar Heels a formidable frontcourt duo. But in the competitive world of college basketball recruiting, not every target lands in your lap. This time, Seton Hall won the battle.

As the Tar Heels continue to build their roster for the upcoming season, the search for defensive reinforcements remains ongoing. For fans tracking the action, every move—and miss—matters in the quest for championship contention.