North Carolina Tar Heels Land Former Alabama Forward in Transfer Portal: A New Era Begins
CHAPEL HILL, NC — In a move that has electrified the college basketball landscape, the North Carolina Tar Heels have secured a major addition to their roster with the commitment of former Alabama forward Malik “M.J.” Reed. The 6-foot-9 sophomore, who entered the NCAA transfer portal just weeks after Alabama’s Sweet 16 loss, chose UNC over a host of blue-blood programs, including Kansas, Michigan State, and Arizona.
Though Reed’s transfer is real, the backstory — and his projected impact — reads like something out of a Hollywood script.
A native of Augusta, Georgia, Reed was a five-star recruit in the Class of 2023, heralded for his blend of length, lateral agility, and a soft shooting touch that belied his frame. His freshman year in Tuscaloosa was a study in explosive potential and inconsistent usage. Averaging 7.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in just 19 minutes per game, Reed flashed brilliance — a 23-point, 11-rebound breakout against Kentucky chief among them — but often found himself buried behind Alabama’s veteran-heavy frontcourt.
That changed the day he entered the portal.
North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis wasted no time. Reports confirm Davis and assistant coach Jeff Lebo met Reed in Atlanta less than 48 hours after he announced his intent to transfer. In what sources close to the program describe as a “vision meeting,” Davis outlined a plan that not only featured Reed as a starter but cast him as a centerpiece in Carolina’s quest for a national title.
“Coach Davis didn’t sell me a dream,” Reed said in his introductory press conference. “He sold me a challenge. He showed me how I fit into Carolina’s system — not just as a player, but as a leader.”
Insiders suggest that Reed’s commitment was the product of both Carolina’s storied legacy and the resurgence of modernized offense under Davis, who has increasingly leaned into hybrid forwards and positionless basketball. Reed’s skill set mirrors that of former Tar Heel greats — think Marvin Williams’ athleticism mixed with Brice Johnson’s verticality. But he’s also unique: a rim protector with a developing three-point shot, capable of switching onto guards and punishing mismatches in the post.
“Malik gives us a level of dynamism we haven’t had in a while,” Davis said. “He’s long, he’s smart, and he’s hungry.”
For the Tar Heels, Reed’s arrival could mark the turning point in their recent roster evolution. After missing the NCAA tournament in 2023 and bowing out in the second round in 2024, Carolina has faced criticism about its inconsistency and lack of frontcourt depth. Reed fills that void immediately — and his presence is already altering the depth chart. His commitment led to the quiet transfer of sophomore forward Isaac Green, and sources say junior Jalen Washington may move to a sixth-man role.
More importantly, Reed’s presence may lure other high-level transfers or even reclassifying recruits to Chapel Hill. A domino effect is underway.
Back in Alabama, the reaction is mixed. Crimson Tide fans are frustrated to lose such a promising talent, while others acknowledge that Reed’s upside was stifled by the depth chart. Reed, for his part, left with grace. “I’m grateful for Coach Oats and everything Alabama gave me. But I needed a system that fit me — and that’s in Carolina blue.”
Malik Reed will wear jersey number 23 — not a coincidence. “It’s a number that means something here,” he said, nodding to the Michael Jordan banner overhead in the Dean E. Smith Center. “I know the legacy. I’m here to honor it — and build my own.”
As the Tar Heels prepare for the 2025-26 season, expectations are sky-high. And in Chapel Hill, hope wears number 23.
