Tar Heels Pursuing Kentucky Transfer Adou Thiero

North Carolina has been closely monitoring Adou Thiero’s situation since the forward from Kentucky entered the transfer portal three weeks ago. Now, the Tar Heels are actively pursuing him.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the UNC coaching staff has communicated to Thiero and his family their determination to recruit the 6-foot-8, 222-pound sophomore, irrespective of decisions made by the current roster this offseason, in multiple discussions over the past few days.

As reported by ESPN last Friday, the Tar Heels are one of five finalists vying for Thiero, along with Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, and Pittsburgh.

During the 2023-24 season, Thiero started 19 games for the Wildcats, averaging 7.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. He ranked second on the team in both rebounds and blocks. Kentucky concluded the season with a 23-10 record, exiting the NCAA Tournament in the first round and subsequently parting ways with head coach John Calipari during the offseason.

Thiero’s sophomore season, which included a month-long absence due to a back injury sustained in late December, featured standout performances such as a game against Kansas on Nov. 14, during which he achieved season-high statistics of 16 points and 13 rebounds. He also recorded a season-best of six made shots, amounting to 15 points, in a game against Gonzaga on Feb. 10. In a match against the Tar Heels on Dec. 16, which Kentucky won 87-83, Thiero contributed seven points, four blocks, and two assists.

Calipari praised Thiero’s progress on his radio show late in the season, stating, “He’s the guy that likes to mix it up, but Adou, he’s done some good stuff. He’s gotten so much better.” Calipari emphasized Thiero’s late growth spurt as the foundation of his development. The forward experienced significant growth, exceeding four inches during his senior year at Leetsdale (Pa.) Quaker Valley, reaching 6-foot-5. Additionally, Thiero was ranked as the No. 20 combo guard and the No. 138 overall prospect in the 2022 class when he committed to Kentucky. Since joining Kentucky, his growth has continued, as Calipari remarked in February, “He’s not even what he was a year ago. I still think he’s going to be 6-9. He’s probably 6-7, maybe a little bit bigger now. By the time next year rolls around, he’ll be 6-9.”

Thiero is ranked as the 18th player in the transfer portal by 247Sports.

Last month, Travis Branham, a national basketball analyst for 247Sports, expressed that “Thiero has shown significant development at Kentucky and has notably caught the attention of NBA scouts. One year from now, we may be discussing Thiero as a potential first-round NBA draft pick.”

Several schools, including Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Gonzaga, Indiana, Miami, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Pittsburgh, and Texas A&M, have reportedly reached out to Thiero since he entered the portal on March 28.

On March 30, Thiero released a statement, saying, “After discussions with Coach Calipari, I believe it’s in my best interest at this time to explore professional opportunities by entering my name in the 2024 NBA Draft, while keeping my options open, including a possible return to Kentucky. I want to express my gratitude to the fans, my coaches, and teammates for their support over the past two years. I am eager to engage in this process to determine my next steps.”