In a surprising turn of events, the University of North Carolina (UNC) basketball program has secured a commitment from Alabama transfer Jarin Stevenson after unexpectedly backing out of the recruitment of BYU transfer Kanon Catchings. The news broke shortly after Catchings announced his commitment to Georgia, leaving many Tar Heel fans initially disappointed. However, their disappointment was short-lived as Joe Tipton reported on April 14, 2025, that Stevenson, a native of Pittsboro, North Carolina, would be returning to his home state to play for the Tar Heels.

Stevenson, a former top-25 recruit out of high school, spent two seasons with the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he played in 74 games, starting in 27 of them. During his time at Alabama, the 6-foot-11 forward averaged 5.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. While his initial decision led him away from North Carolina, the opportunity to return home proved too compelling to pass up.

This situation is reminiscent of Harrison Ingram's recruitment. Ingram was heavily pursued by the Tar Heels before ultimately spending his first two college seasons at Stanford. North Carolina hopes that Stevenson, like Ingram, will flourish now that he is back in familiar surroundings. The decision to move on from Catchings now appears strategic, as Stevenson seemed destined to join the Tar Heels as soon as he entered the transfer portal. While Catchings garnered much of the attention, the Tar Heels quickly capitalized on the mutual interest with Stevenson.

Although it would have been ideal for Stevenson to join the Tar Heels earlier, his addition is a welcome development. He provides much-needed depth in the frontcourt and could potentially play both the wing and the "4" position in Hubert Davis' system. Stevenson's arrival is a significant boost for the Tar Heels as they revamp their roster for the upcoming 2025-2026 season.