PITTSBURGH – ACC News and Notes halfway through the week surrounds one of the best players on Pitt’s roster returning for his senior year. Former North Carolina guard Caleb Love has committed to Arizona, and the Tar Heels continue to make significant headlines in high school recruiting circles to improve the program after a disappointing year. Former Georgia Tech guard Jalon Moore found a new home in Oklahoma.
Blake Hinson Returns to Pitt for Senior Year
Pitt basketball announced Tuesday afternoon that Blake Hinson will return to the Panthers for the 2023-24 season. Hinson withdrew his name from NBA Draft considerations to stay at Pitt for his senior campaign. Hinson averaged 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in 35 games (all starts). His accomplishments earned him Second Team All-ACC honors.
One of two players in the NCAA to make 95 or more triples and average at least 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds, Hinson became one of the most clutch performers in all of college basketball. His contributions to the program earned him the CollegeInsider.com Riley Wallace Award as the Top Impact Transfer. Pitt finished the 2022-23 season 24-12 overall and 14-6 in the ACC action.
Caleb Love Transfers to Arizona
Former North Carolina guard Caleb Love has committed to Arizona, ending a wild portal stretch for the incoming senior. Love entered the transfer portal after three years at UNC and the program missing the NCAA Tournament after being ranked the preseason AP No. 1 team. Love committed to Michigan but, weeks later, de-committed after not having enough transfer credits to enter the school.
The 6-foot-4 junior guard averaged a career-high 16.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game and surpassed the 1,000-point mark. Love averaged 14.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 101 career games (96 starts) for the Heels. He delivered one of the most memorable shots in UNC history against Duke in the Final Four last season, sending Mike Krzyzewski into retirement.
Georgia Tech Transfer Jalon Moore Commits to Oklahoma
Jalon Moore will play his junior year at Oklahoma. The former Georgia Tech wing announced Tuesday his decision to play for the Sooners. Moore averaged 7.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 32 games (15 starts) for the Yellow Jackets this past season. He played significantly more minutes than the year prior and shot 43% from the floor. Moore does his damage inside the three-point arc – only 4-of-35 (11%) from deep – and is a streaky free-throw shooter. He made 64-of-93 (69%) attempts after making 6-of-12 the year before.
Five-Star Recruits Making Headlines in Chapel Hill
Five-star prospect Elliot Cadeau will play for the Tar Heels much earlier than anticipated. Cadeau announced he will reclassify from 2024 to the class of 2023 and enroll at UNC early. One of the best guards in all of high school ball. A 6-foot-1 guard, Cadeau ranked No. 9 overall according to On3, and No. 12 by 247Sports. RJ Davis and Armando Bacot will both return to Carolina next season. Cadeau joins a revamped group that is capable of fixing last season’s issues and sluggish campaign.
Five-star power forward Jarin Stevenson will visit North Carolina this week. The highly-regarded Class of 2024 big from Pittsboro, North Carolina, could be nearing a decision. Stevenson is a 6-foot-10 playmaker, who ranks No. 11 overall by Rivals.com, holds heavy interest from UNC, Virginia and Alabama. He also visited Georgetown and Missouri.