Isaiah Denis ready to 'show the world what I got' with UNC basketball, Michael Malone

Isaiah Denis heard it from a lot of people after his freshman season with UNC basketball . We didn’t really see you last year. Following a two-week stretch of uncertainty in the transfer portal, Denis decided he would return to the Tar Heels with hopes of becoming a regular member of the rotation in Michael Malone ’s debut season as head coach.

The 20-year-old Charlotte native is ready “to get out there and show the world what I got” after a season spent mostly on the bench under former coach Hubert Davis. “I feel like my confidence right now is really through the roof,” Denis said during an episode of the Carolina Insider podcast, an in-house production which features play-by-play announcer Jones Angell and writer Adam Lucas. “I’m on another level right now and I’m just ready to get out there and let that dog outta the cage.

” UNC TRANSFER PORTAL TRACKER: UNC basketball transfer portal tracker, who's in, who's out on 2026-27 roster During his brief stint in the transfer portal, Denis said he knew what he was looking for and “UNC was where I needed to be” as a sophomore. Leaning on his family and faith, Denis decided everything he wanted to accomplish could be accomplished in Chapel Hill. “Just praying it over with my family, talking to God, I’m a big faith believer.

My relationship with Jesus is very strong, so definitely just wanted to keep Him at the forefront of everything in my decisions,” Denis said. “I felt like Carolina is home and this is where He wants me to be. He wants me to be able to show the community and everybody what they were missing out on last year.