Miami showing interest in under-the-radar UNC transfer who just entered the portal

Jai Lucas has a type. He wants big, powerful guards in his backcourt, and he might be honing in on another one to add to the arsenal this offseason. 

Isaiah Denis was a top prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, the No. 53 player in the country according to 247 Sports, but he appeared in just 10 games for the Tar Heels as a freshman after his development was slowed by a hand injury. Now, with a coaching transition underway in Chapel Hill, Denis has entered the Transfer Portal in search of a fresh start, and Lucas might be the one to give it to him. 

Since the portal opened on Tuesday, Miami has reportedly emerged as a potential suitor for the 6-foot-4, 180-pound guard from Davidson, North Carolina. 

Miami looks to be a landing spot for former 4-star Isaiah Denis

North Carolina could have used some depth in the backcourt after big-money transfer Kyan Evans didn’t work out at point guard, but Denis was evidently too far behind after his summer setback. Denis reaggravated the same hand injury he suffered in his senior year of high school during summer workouts for Hubert Davis, and was never able to catch back up. 

That's a fairly common occurrence, and a similar situation befell former Miami five-star Jalil Bethea after he transferred to Alabama last offseason.

Health will be important for Denis going forward, but considering his injury concern is the hand, not a tendon or soft tissue problem, he’s a fairly safe bet. He’s also massively underrated after playing 34 total minutes as a freshman. 

Miami is likely to have Shelton Henderson back for his sophomore season, and Dante Allen could be a fixture in the backcourt, but Lucas needs a Tre Donaldson replacement after the senior guard exhausted his final season of eligibility. Denis could be that player. He’s the type of high-upside swing Lucas should be taking in the portal, but he can’t be the only addition. 

Lucas should look to add veteran guard options, along with Denis, if he wants to back up a strong first year as the head coach of the Hurricanes.