Jarin Stevenson decides to stick with UNC basketball, Michael Malone

UNC basketball forward Jarin Stevenson is staying home to play his senior season for the Tar Heels. Stevenson, a 6-foot-10 forward and Chapel Hill native, announced his decision Monday, April 13, with a social media post. “I’m Backkkkkk,” Stevenson wrote on his Instagram page.

A starter in 25 of 33 games in his first season with the Tar Heels, Stevenson’s return gives first-year coach Michael Malone some roster continuity and valuable positional size because of Stevenson’s versatility. The announcement came shortly after Virginia Tech transfer Neoklis Avdalas, a 6-foot-9 guard, committed to the Tar Heels . UNC TRANSFER PORTAL TRACKER: UNC basketball transfer portal tracker, who's in, who's out on 2026-27 roster FIRST PORTAL COMMITMENT: UNC basketball adds Neoklis Avdalas, is Michael Malone's first portal commit Jarin Stevenson stats After playing at Alabama in his first two seasons, including a Final Four run as a freshman in Tuscaloosa, Stevenson returned home for his junior year and became a key role player at UNC.

He averaged 8. 1 points on 47% shooting, including a 29. 5% clip from 3-point range, and 4.

4 rebounds across 33 games. Over the final 10 games, including nine with freshman star Caleb Wilson out because of an injury, Stevenson elevated his play as a scorer and rebounder. In that stretch, Stevenson averaged 10.