Sophomore forward Zayden High shared Tuesday he plans to enter the transfer portal and explore his options, leaving open the possibility to returning to the UNC men’s basketball program after spending three years in Chapel Hill.

High shared a message across his social media platforms about his decision, which came on the first day the NCAA transfer portal is officially open for the sport.

“The University of North Carolina is a special place for me and my family, and I am truly grateful for everything it has meant to us,” wrote High. “I’ve been blessed to build strong bonds with my coaches and lifelong brotherhood with my teammates. These relationships I will always value. I am grateful for the journey so far and excited for what God has ahead for me.”

The 6-foot-10 forward’s time in Hubert Davis’ program was atypical to many players’. After arriving to Chapel Hill from San Antonio, Texas and playing high school ball in Arizona, High made 23 appearances off the bench as a freshman during the 2023-24 season, largely being used in spot minutes and scoring less than a point per game.

Just one month before the 2024-25 season began, the UNC men’s basketball program announced High was “not enrolled” at the university — with the News & Observer later revealing High was suspended over violating the campus policy on sexual exploitation. According to accounts of several UNC students reported by the outlet, High filmed another student during a sexual encounter without that student’s consent, leading to the university stepping in after a complaint was filed to its Equal Opportunity and Compliance office. With his suspension during the fall semester, High was not allowed to be on an athletics program roster, but he was seen after games using the Dean Smith Center facilities and the N&O reported he kept many of the benefits and access allowed to active UNC players.

Ahead of the 2025-26 season, High was unceremoniously back on the UNC roster and was projected for limited minutes with the Tar Heels’ additions of Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar and Jarin Stevenson to its front court. But as the season progressed, both Wilson and Veesaar suffered injuries — leading to High playing extended minutes during the back-half of ACC play. He started UNC’s games against Pittsburgh and N.C. State with both All-ACC players unavailable, and the sophomore’s performance (15 points and 7 rebounds vs. Pitt, and 13 points and 10 rebounds vs. N.C. State) earned him praise from sections of the Tar Heel fanbase. Those two games would be the high water mark for the season, although High averaged more than 17 minutes and 7.5 points per game from Feb. 14 onward. During those nine games, Carolina went 5-2 to close out the regular season before losing its first games in the ACC Tournament and then NCAA Tournament.

High’s announcement about entering the transfer portal comes after Monday’s reports that UNC men’s basketball plans to hire Michael Malone as its next head coach, following Hubert Davis’ dismissal after five years on Mar. 24.

The NCAA transfer portal for men’s basketball opens on Tuesday and will run through Tuesday, April 21. Players who are looking to transfer from their current schools are required to enter their names during that window, but will have the following weeks to commit to where they want to play in the 2026-27 season. For a list of other Tar Heel men’s basketball players who have entered the portal so far this offseason, read Chapelboro’s article tracking their movement.

Featured image via Todd Melet

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