Forward Zayden High, who spent his freshman year with the UNC men’s basketball program in the 2023-24 season, is no longer enrolled at the university. The program released an official statement confirming High’s departure on Tuesday afternoon.

High was rated as a four-star recruit and ranked within the top 100 prospects in his class. Originally from Rockwall, TX, he committed to Carolina in 2022 over offers from Michigan, Villanova and Alabama, among others. He and point guard Elliot Cadeau were the only true freshmen on the team in the 2023-24 season.

In his lone season with the Tar Heels, High appeared in 23 total games, played 103 total minutes and scored 18 total points. He played 12 minutes against No. 7 Oklahoma in the Jumpman Invitational on December 20, grabbing three rebounds in the 81-69 UNC win. High did not appear in Carolina’s season-ending loss to Alabama in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16.

High’s departure leaves head coach Hubert Davis with a forward group of transfers Cade Tyson, Ven-Allen Lubin and Tyzhaun Claude, freshmen Drake Powell and James Brown and veterans Jalen Washington and Jae’Lyn Withers.

 

Featured image via Todd Melet

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Men's Basketball Unranked in 2026-27 Preseason AP Poll
Michael Malone’s Tar Heels will not be ranked at the outset of the 2026-27 season. The AP Top 25 preseason poll was published Monday morning, and UNC was not included. Florida reigns supreme at No. 1 in the poll, followed by No. 2 Duke, No. 3 Illinois, No. 4 UConn and No. 5 Arizona. Elsewhere […]
UNC Men's Basketball Blown Out vs. Indiana in Second Preseason Exhibition
UNC was outplayed on both ends of the floor against Indiana in the Tar Heels’ second exhibition of the preseason Sunday evening, and the Hoosiers won 76-58 in Indianapolis. Indiana flexed its muscles on the glass, outrebounding Carolina by a dominant 53-31 margin. The Hoosiers had more defensive rebounds (33) than UNC had in total. […]
UNC Men's Basketball vs. Indiana (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Time
UNC will continue preseason action Sunday when it travels to Indianapolis to face Indiana at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers. If you aren’t making the trip with the team, here’s how you can follow along at home: Broadcast Schedule Those hoping to listen on the radio can do so at 97.9 FM and […]
UNC Men's Basketball Picked 5th in 2026-27 ACC Preseason Poll
UNC was picked fifth in the ACC men’s basketball preseason poll Monday afternoon. Two-time reigning conference champion Duke comes in at No. 1, taking home 45 of a possible 48 first-place votes. No. 2 Virginia, No. 3 Louisville and No. 4 Miami each followed with one first-place vote each. Below UNC, No. 6 Clemson, No. […]
This Week in UNC Sports: October 12-18
More and more of UNC's winter sports are beginning their seasons as we hit the middle of October, and "crossover season" is upon us.
'You Want to Win for Him': Michael Malone's Unofficial UNC Welcome is a Hit
UNC head coach Michael Malone drew rave reviews after his Tar Heels beat USC 88-70 in a preseason exhibition Friday night.
UNC Men's Basketball Beats USC in Greensboro Preseason Exhibition
UNC outscored USC 51-31 in the second half to overcome a halftime deficit and beat the Trojans 88-70 in a preseason exhibition in Greensboro.
UNC Men's Basketball vs. USC (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Time
UNC fans will get their first look at head coach Michael Malone’s Tar Heels Friday night when Carolina takes on USC in a preseason exhibition at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro. It’s UNC’s first game of any kind in Greensboro since the 2023 ACC Tournament. If you aren’t making the trip to the game, here’s […]
Breaking Down Michael Malone's Challenge to Jarin Stevenson, UNC's Gentle Giant
Earlier in the offseason, a fellow reporter and I were discussing Tar Heel senior forward Jarin Stevenson. As the team’s only returning starter and one of the only familiar faces fans can latch on to after an offseason of upheaval, he projects to be a key player for UNC in 2026-27. That prominent role, plus […]
Are They Eligible? Keeping Up with UNC's Rece Verhoff, Cameron Fens and Others
Student-athletes across the country are currently embroiled in an eligibility fight against the NCAA. The athletes, who graduated high school in 2022, are seeking a fifth year of eligibility under the NCAA’s new rules. However, the NCAA is countering that the rule only applies to students currently in college from the 2026-27 academic year forward. […]
›