Former North Carolina Tar Heels’ center Ven-Allen Lubin was a key part of North Carolina’s late-season run to make the NCAA Tournament. With his improved play down the stretch, he gave the Tar Heels a legit post option. He was expected to play a key part in North Carolina’s rotation for the 2024-25 season. Then he entered the transfer portal and will now play his final year of college basketball at a hated rival: NC State.
During the Wolfpack’s first official day of practice on Tuesday, Lubin revealed why he left the Tar Heels – and chose that team in red.
“It was really just a decision for myself and the people in my circle,” Lubin told Fayetteville Observer’s Rodd Baxley. “We wanted to figure out what’s gonna be next for me – and what’s gonna be best for me. I have respect for UNC. Just grateful for them giving me an opportunity to play for them. I just believe that whatever happened through that moment was just for a reason – and it led me here. So, I have no regret in being here. I look forward to what’s gonna happen.”
After splitting time with Jalen Washington early last season, Lubin emerged as a full-time starter in February, averaging 8.7 points and a UNC-best 5.5 rebounds per game. Lubin played his best basketball as North Carolina chased its postseason fate, recording double-doubles March 4 at Virginia Tech and in each ACC Tournament clash. In the Tar Heels’ ACC Tournament semifinal loss against archrival Duke, Lubin tallied a career-high 20 points.
What UNC lost in Lubin, it reinforced with greater height and post depth. North Carolina now has a pair of 7-footers in Henri Veesaar and Ivan Matlekovic. James Brown and Zayden High return, while Caleb Wilson and Jarin Stevenson join the Tar Heels.
