In a surprising move that has sent ripples through the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball program, sophomore point guard Elliot Cadeau and junior forward Jalen Washington have officially entered the NCAA transfer portal. The announcement came on March 25, 2025, marking a significant shift for a team coming off an early exit from the NCAA Tournament.
The Tar Heels were eliminated in their first-round matchup against Ole Miss, a game that ended in a 71-64 defeat, leaving players and coaches alike to reflect on an underwhelming season. With Cadeau and Washington's decisions to transfer, the coaching staff now faces the daunting task of rebuilding their roster for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Cadeau, a former five-star recruit from West Orange, New Jersey, joined UNC as part of the 2023-24 recruiting class after reclassifying up a year. He started a commendable 31 of 37 games in his freshman campaign, where he averaged 7.3 points and 4.1 assists per game, contributing significantly to the team’s successful run that season, which included securing the ACC regular-season title. Cadeau was also honored with a place on the ACC's All-Freshman Team.
Improvements were evident during his sophomore year, as he raised his scoring average to 9.4 points while also leading the team with 231 total assists, the highest recorded by a freshman at UNC since Marcus Paige in 2013. However, his notable progress came with challenges; his turnover rate spiked from 1.8 to 3.1 per game, reflecting both the pressures of the position and the Tar Heels' overall struggles this past season.
In his absence, the team will be searching for an experienced playmaker in the transfer portal, positioning them for a potentially pivotal recruiting season. As Cadeau announced his transfer, his mother, Michelle Cadeau, took to social media to deny rumors that financial motives were behind his decision. "For the record: Elliot hasn’t asked for anything. If it was for the money, he wouldn’t have been at UNC in the first place. Whomever started that rumor has an agenda for sure," she stated, addressing speculation around her son's choice.
Just moments after Cadeau’s announcement, Jalen Washington's name also appeared in the transfer portal, marking the end of his three-season stay with the Tar Heels. A talented 6-foot-10 forward from Gary, Indiana, Washington faced a challenging start to his college career due to a significant knee injury that kept him sidelined during his senior high school season. Nevertheless, he persevered and contributed modestly throughout his time in Chapel Hill.
Throughout his tenure, Washington’s role steadily evolved, and he became a critical rotation player, averaging 5.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game during the 2024-25 season. He started 16 games as a junior, but ultimately proved unable to secure a consistent starting position, which led to his decision to transfer as he seeks a more definitive role elsewhere.
As the Tar Heels embark on this offseason, the challenges ahead are clear. The loss of Cadeau and Washington not only leaves holes in the roster but highlights the need for strategic recruiting to bolster the squad. Coach Hubert Davis and his staff now find themselves in a race against time, requiring quick decisions and effective outreach to fill these gaps.
Looking ahead, the transfer portal is teeming with potential recruits, and it will be imperative for North Carolina to capitalize on the opportunities it presents. As programs across the nation scramble to adjust their rosters, the Tar Heels will need to respond swiftly to ensure they remain competitive in a rapidly evolving college basketball landscape.
With high expectations set by the program’s storied history, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how the Tar Heels navigate this pivotal offseason. Only time will tell if the changes will lead to a revival of fortunes for one of college basketball's blue-blood programs.
