While coaching the smallest high-major team in the country to a 1-12 record in Quad 1 games entering the NCAA Tournament, North Carolina’s Hubert Davis unsurprisingly noted that “we’ve got to get bigger.”
The Tar Heels started doing so on Friday at Arizona’s expense, snagging 7-foot Estonian forward Henri Veesaar from the transfer portal. NIL deals typically remain private, but reports on the current transfer marketplace suggested Veesaar could command a seven-figure compensation package.
A 7-foot redshirt sophomore, Veesaar averaged 9.4 points and 5.0 rebounds for the Wildcats, mostly playing behind post starters Tobe Awaka and Trey Townsend. After the Big 12 Tournament, Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said Veesaar would become a first-round NBA Draft pick.
Veesaar might have faced renewed competition for playing time at Arizona next season if centers Motiejus Krivas and Awaka return, but he could become the Tar Heels’ starting center next season. Kenpom.com ranked North Carolina just 305 out of 364 Division I teams, and the smallest among high-majors, in average height as weighted by minutes played.
“Veesaar has a real shot to be a flat-out star next year after massive changes to his body,” 247 analyst Isaac Trotter wrote.
Arizona forward Henri Veesaar flexes after scoring and drawing a foul against Duke in the first half of their Sweet Sixteen game in the men’s NCAA Tournament in Newark, N.J., March 27, 2025.
Three other scholarship players on the Wildcats’ roster this season have entered the portal but have not chosen a destination yet: Guard KJ Lewis, center Emmanuel Stephen and guard Conrad Martinez.
