The transfer portal is an animal. The UNC basketball team brought in several key players via the transfer portal this year, which now allows players at any collegiate level to switch colleges without penalty every year. However, the Heels also lost several players over the last couple of years to the portal who didn't see as much playing time or a role as they foresaw to begin their time with Carolina.

One of the subtle transfers that Carolina and Hubert Davis brought into the program this year is Tyzhaun Claude. Where will Claude fit into a front court that is still trying to figure out its rotation?

Let's meet one of the newest Tar Heels in Ty Claude.

Ty Claude Bio

Height: 6-foot-8

Weight: 240lbs

Number: 0

Position: Forward

Year: Fifth-Year Senior

Hometown: Goldsboro, North Carolina

High School: Goldsboro High

Previous Colleges: Morehead State, Western Carolina, Georgia Tech

Social media: X

2023-2024 season in review

After heading to his third college in four years, Ty Claude made a name for himself at ACC rival Georgia Tech. Last season, in just 17.4 minutes per game, Claude averaged 4.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

He made it to the Yellow Jackets as a transfer after earning a spot on the 2022-23 All-Southern third-team and 2023 All-Southern Tournament second-team.

2024-2025 role projection

The Tar Heels basketball team has four guys who will compete for major minutes at the four and five positions. Those guys include two already established forwards in Jae'Lyn Withers and Jalen Washington. It also includes two transfers in Vanderbilt's Ven-Allen Lubin and Belmont's Cade Tyson.

Ty Claude will factor into that four-man rotation as well coming in late in the portal window from Georgia Tech. His length and athleticism makes him a perfect member of a team who likes to get down the floor in under three seconds.

However, I think he will see the least amount of minutes of the four plus Drake Powell.

Bold Prediction

My bold prediction for Claude is that he will be featured as the ACC Sixth Man of the Year. I don't foresee him working into a starting role, but if he can become the main option behind whoever breaks out into the top two, he could easily see more than 17 minutes per game which is what he had last year.

The aspect of Claude's game that makes him different than most is his rebounding ability. Tyson stretches the floor, Washington shot blocks, but someone who specializes in rebounding could be Claude for this Hubert Davis-coached team.

Claude double-doubles in first game with GT

Being on three teams in four years can be tough, however, Claude made a statement in his first game at a power-five conference team. The Yellow Jackets took on Georgia Southern in the first regular season game last year.

Claude finished with his first double-double as a member of GT with 10 points and 10 rebounds with three assists and two steals in 30 minutes.

Claude has first 15/15 game

Claude's best season of his career came in his one year with Western Carolina. In a road game in the middle of that season, Western Carolina went on the road to take on the Citadel and won.

In the win, Claude finished with 17 points and 17 rebounds, including 10 defensive and seven offensive rebounds, in 33 minutes. He shot 7-for-13 from the floor.

Claude drops career-high vs Samford

Again in his career-best season at Western Carolina, Claude dropped a career-high in points scoring 24 points in 32 minutes with five rebounds. He shot 8-for-15 from the floor and 8-for-11 from the free-throw line in the win.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : Ty Claude player profile for the 2024-2025 UNC basketball season