Big news is brewing in Chapel Hill, as reports indicate the University of North Carolina is closing in on a deal to hire Michael Malone as its next men's basketball head coach. This move would bring a proven NBA champion to the helm of one of college basketball's most storied programs.

If finalized, Malone would succeed Hubert Davis, who was fired last month after five seasons. The 54-year-old Malone brings a championship pedigree, having led the Denver Nuggets and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic to the 2023 NBA title during a decade-long tenure. His potential hiring marks a significant shift, as it would break the long-standing tradition of the "Carolina Family" promoting from within—a lineage that included legends Dean Smith, Roy Williams, and Davis himself.

This would be a major coup for the Tar Heels, a program boasting six national championships and a record 21 Final Four appearances. Malone's arrival would signal a new era, pairing him with another high-profile pro coach, football's Bill Belichick, at the top of UNC's athletic department. The college basketball world will be watching closely to see if this deal gets across the finish line, potentially setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in Tar Heel history.