Courtney Banghart and the Tar Heels have made a splash in the transfer portal. Maria Gakdeng, who played at Boston College for two seasons before entering the portal, announced her commitment to Carolina on Monday afternoon.

At 6-3, Gakdeng will be one of the tallest players on UNC’s roster. She started 65 of a possible 66 games for the Eagles during her two seasons there and established herself as a force in the paint. Gakdeng averaged 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore. She also ranked in the top 5 in the league in blocked shots per game in each of the last two years. Carolina ranked eighth in the ACC in blocks per game this season.

Gakdeng is the first transfer to join Banghart and the Tar Heels since Eva Hodgson and Carlie Littlefield did so before the 2021-22 season. UNC didn’t sign any transfers before the start of this past season. As of today, Gakdeng will be one of five newcomers joining the team next season, joining a heralded four-woman freshman class. That class includes five-star center Ciera Toomey, who will join forces with Gakdeng to form a revamped frontcourt for the Tar Heels.

 

Featured image via Boston College Athletics/Joe Sullivan

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