North Carolina has been keeping a close eye on Adou Thiero since the Kentucky forward entered the transfer portal three weeks ago. Now the Tar Heels are in full pursuit.
During multiple conversations in recent days, the UNC staff has conveyed to Thiero and his family the aim to land the 6-foot-8, 222-pound sophomore regardless of the decisions by its current roster this offseason, according to sources close to the situation.
The Tar Heels are one of five finalists for Thiero, ESPN first reported on Friday, joining Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, and Pittsburgh.
Thiero started 19 games during the 2023-24 season for the Wildcats, averaging 7.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. Those averages were second on the team in rebounds and blocks. Kentucky finished the year 23-10, losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and then losing its head coach John Calipari this offseason.
Thiero’s sophomore season — which included missing a month due to a back injury suffered in late December — was highlighted by 16 points and 13 rebounds (both season highs) in a Nov. 14 loss to Kansas. He had a season-high six made shots for 15 points in a Feb. 10 loss to Gonzaga. Against the Tar Heels on Dec. 16, an 87-83 UK win, Thiero posted seven points, four blocks and two assists.
“He’s the guy that likes to mix it up, but Adou, he’s done some good stuff. He’s gotten so much better,” Calipari said on his radio show late in the season. “All of the things that’s in front of him, that he’s got to tackle are all effort-based. Getting into the gym… the commitment. It’s all there for him. So, he’s gotten so much better.”
At the root of Thiero’s development has been his late growth spurt. After growing more than four inches as a senior at Leetsdale (Pa.) Quaker Valley to 6-foot-5, he committed to Kentucky late in the recruiting cycle, ranked the No. 20 combo guard and No. 138 overall prospect in the 2022 class. Since arriving in Lexington, that growth continued.
“He’s not even what he was a year ago,” Calipari added in February. “I still think he’s going to be 6-9. He’s probably 6-7, maybe a little bit bigger now. By the time next year rolls around, he’ll be 6-9.”
Thiero is ranked the No. 18 player in the transfer portal by 247Sports.
“Thiero has developed tremendously at Kentucky and has particularly intrigued NBA scouts,” 247Sports national basketball analyst Travis Branham wrote last month. “One year from now, we could be talking about Thiero as … a first-round NBA draft pick.”
Among the schools reported to have contacted Thiero since he entered the portal on March 28 include: Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Gonzaga, Indiana, Miami, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Texas A&M.
Thiero issued the following statement on March 30: “After talking to Coach Calipari, I feel it is best at this time to test the waters professionally, entering my name in the 2024 NBA Draft, while keeping all of my options open, including a return to Kentucky. I’d like to thank the fans, my coaches and teammates for their support over the last two years. I look forward to going through this process to determine the next step for me.”
