North Carolina
Evaluating North Carolina’s 2026 Ceiling and Floor in ACC
With North Carolina’s activity in the transfer portal and recruiting pool coming to a close, although there are a couple of players to keep tabs on in the coming days, it is time to start evaluating how next season could look in Chapel Hill.
Big picture, 2026 is about head coach Michael Malone establishing a foundational culture for multiple years. Tar Heel fans are going to expect nothing less than a deep tournament run, but North Carolina needs to take the required baby steps. Coming off a second consecutive first-round exit, the Tar Heels need to at least win one game in the NCAA Tournament, but even then, their fans will not be satisfied if they fail to advance past the first weekend.
If North Carolina wants to be in the best position possible in the revamped 76-team field, winning as many games in conference play and orchestrating a formidable run in the ACC tournament will go a long way in setting itself up nicely for a potential run in March. With that being said, here are the Tar Heels’ ceiling and floor in the ACC next season.
Ceiling: Third Place
It is tough to imagine North Carolina cracking the top-two threshold in the conference, with Duke and Louisville as the clear top ACC teams. While the Blue Devils retained four key rotational players and compiled the No. 1 overall 2026 class, the Cardinals went all in on the transfer portal, signing Flory Bidunga, Jackson Sheldstad, Karter Knox, and Alvaro Folgueiras. Not to mention, Louisville landed five-star center Obinna Ekezie Jr., who reclassified from 2027 and will be part of the 2026 rotation.
Quite frankly, there is too much firepower on those two teams for North Carolina to keep pace with. That being said, Malone’s coaching should elevate the Tar Heels and at least surpass their fourth-place finish last season.
Floor: Fifth Place
This would be a major disappointment, and there would be salt in the wound when assessing that this would be a worse finish than last season. North Carolina has the coaching and talent to finish inside the top three, but a couple of under-the-radar teams could emerge as legitimate threats in the ACC.
Virginia and Miami each finished above the Tar Heels in 2025, and the Cavaliers are returning the majority of their roster. Meanwhile, Miami has signed a couple of underrated players from the transfer portal who should help offset losses across the roster. Nevertheless, North Carolina cannot afford to miss out on a double-bye in the conference tournament, which is awarded to the top four teams at the end of the regular season.
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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — The Myrtle Beach Police Department announced Monday the arrest of a man wanted in North Carolina.
Officers arrested Leko Jones, 46, who was wanted by authorities in Burlington, North Carolina, according to the Myrtle Beach Police Department.
Jones is charged with attempted first-degree murder and assault by strangulation.
The arrest resulted from a coordinated effort between the Myrtle Beach Police Department’s Patrol Division and Investigations Division, working alongside the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Investigators said they safely located Jones and took him into custody.
A section of E. 4th Street in Washington will close next week for sewer line replacement work.
According to the city, E. 4th Street from Hudnell Street to Aycock Street will be closed to local traffic on Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
PINE KNOLL SHORES, Carteret County — A longtime Pine Knoll Shores public servant is preparing to begin a new chapter after nearly two decades with the town.
Ryan Thompson announced he will leave his full-time role with the Town of Pine Knoll Shores on August 12 after 18 years of service.
Thompson said he first came to Pine Knoll Shores in 2008 and has served the town in several roles, including police officer, chief of police, assistant town manager and most recently interim town manager.
In a message shared by the Pine Knoll Shores Police Department, Thompson said serving the community has been the greatest honor of his professional career.
Town of Pine Knoll Shores announces Ryan Thompson to depart after 18 years
He reflected on working alongside first responders through several hurricanes and coastal emergencies over the years, including Irene, Arthur, Matthew, Florence, Dorian, Isaias, Ophelia and Debby.
Thompson also highlighted the community’s response after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of western North Carolina in 2024. He said Pine Knoll Shores helped raise nearly $20,000 to support people impacted by the storm.
Thompson said Pine Knoll Shores has also been a special place for his family. His son served as a part-time firefighter with the Pine Knoll Shores Fire Department, and his wife served as the town’s tax collector.
Although he is leaving his full-time role, Thompson said he is not saying goodbye to the town.
He will begin serving as a public safety risk management consultant with the North Carolina League of Municipalities. He said the new role will allow him to work with cities and towns across the state to help support public safety and local governments.
Thompson also said he will remain with the Pine Knoll Shores Police Department as a part-time police officer.
He said he will also continue helping the town during its transition as Pine Knoll Shores begins the search for its next police chief and works through the town manager transition.
Captain Eric Tellefsen will become interim chief of police after Thompson’s departure.
Thompson said he is confident in the department’s leadership team and thanked the Pine Knoll Shores community for its trust, support and friendship over the past 18 years.
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