What Georgia Tech transfer Tyzhaun Claude brings to UNC basketball

Georgia Tech transfer Tyzhaun Claude has committed to UNC basketball, Claude announced Wednesday in a social media post.

A week after being granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA, with fall classes scheduled to start Aug. 19 at UNC, Claude is set to join the 2024-25 Tar Heels.

With Claude’s commitment, fourth-year coach Hubert Davis has added another veteran presence who figures to boost UNC’s rebounding numbers. Fifth-year senior RJ Davis and sophomore Elliot Cadeau are the returning starters from last season, but the Tar Heels have to replace their primary options in the frontcourt.

In early August, RJ Davis told The Fayetteville Observer that rebounding would be more of a team effort with Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram, UNC’s top two rebounders last season, no longer on the roster.

A 6-foot-7, 226-pound forward, Claude averaged 4.8 points and 5.2 rebounds across 32 games last season for the Yellow Jackets. Here’s a deeper look at the roster around Claude and how he can help the Tar Heels this season.

Rebounding is the key for Tyzhaun Claude in joining Tar Heels

If you just take a look at averages for points and rebounds, the numbers don’t exactly pop off the page for Claude.

But breaking it down further, Claude was No. 10 nationally in offensive rebounding percentage (15.7%) last season, according to KenPom.com. In conference games, Claude led the ACC in offensive rebounding percentage (16%), pulling down at least three offensive rebounds in nine of 20 league games.

In Georgia Tech’s 74-73 win against UNC, Claude finished with nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks against the Tar Heels. The Goldsboro native started his career at Morehead State, but missed most of two seasons there with a knee injury.

After transferring to Western Carolina, Claude averaged 15.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. If he can provide rebounding for the Tar Heels, Hubert Davis will give the veteran minutes.

UNC basketball 2024-25 roster around Tyzhaun Claude

In addition to…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/georgia-tech-transfer-tyzhaun-claude-202653324.html

Author : The Fayetteville Observer

Publish date : 2024-08-14 20:26:53

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.