Ven-Allen Lubin player profile for 2024-2025 UNC basketball season
Without Armando Bacot manning the post this coming basketball season, the North Carolina Tar Heels were in need of a productive, experienced center.
UNC chased after the likes of Oumar Ballo and Coleman Hawkins, but struck out on both. There were a couple more attempts, to no avail.
After weeks and months of trying, North Carolina finally snagged a big man: Ven-Allen Lubin, the junior who played his first two years of college basketball at Notre Dame (2022-2023) and Vanderbilt (2023-2024).
Lubin only started seven games in South Bend, but he started all 26 for the Commodores last year. Lubin was third on Vandy with 12.5 points per game, but he led Vandy with 6.3 rebounds and one block per game.
While we're not quite sure where Lubin fits into the lineup, he should be a starter, whether at center or power forward. If the Tar Heels opt for a smaller lineup, Lubin starts at center. If UNC decides to go for height, Lubin starts at power forward.
Jalen Washington was presumed to be the starting center before Lubin arrived. With how Washington played in North Carolina's scrimmage against Memphis, though, he could very well start at the five and Lubin start at the four.
Just from looking at Lubin's ESPN Player Profile alone, his stats tell us he's more of a traditional big man: a good rebounder, above-average free throw shooter and will give you a solid scoring output. Lubin will clog the post and force you to kick the ball outside.
We're going to take a deeper dive on Lubin in our very own Player Profile on him. Let's get to know your new starting power forward/center.
Ven-Allen Lubin Bio
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 230 lbs.
Number: 22
Position: Forward
Year: Junior
Hometown: Orlanda, Florida
High School: Orlando Christian
2023-2024 season in review
Lubin was a major factor on yet another struggling Vanderbilt squad last year, one that won just nine games for the second time in four seasons. He started all 26 games for the Commodores, leading them in rebounds (6.3) and blocks (1.0) per game.
Vanderbilt has nowhere near the talent level UNC does, but it also was one of the SEC's best programs from 2004-2017. Lubin's talent wasn't enough to help a Vandy program that hasn't seen the NCAA Tournament in nearly a decade.
2024-2025 role projection
Could Lubin start from day one? It's possible but his best spot might be coming off the bench to backup Jalen Washington or Jae'Lyn Withers. Still, he's going to have a key role on this team with the lack of depth in the front court.
Lubin, now a junior, was a full-time starter at Vanderbilt last year. He only started a few games at Notre Dame two seasons ago, but proved to be more effective in a starting role.
North Carolina has a mix of Jalen Washington, Tyzhaun Claude, James Brown and Jae'Lyn Withers in the post, so there's no telling where Hubert puts Lubin in the rotation.
Bold prediction
I would say my bold prediction for Lubin is that he leads UNC in rebounding this coming season, but that's too obvious.
Instead, I'll say that Lubin quickly asserts himself as one of the ACC's top shot-blockers. He's a bit undersized for a center at 6'8", but Harrison Ingram was also 6'5" – and he was a pretty good post player.
Lubin's first 20-point game leads Vandy to 1-point win over Texas A&M
Vanderbilt only won four SEC games last season – and Lubin played a major factor in each of those conference victories.
In the Commodores' second SEC win, vs. Texas A&M, Lubin poured in a career-high 25 points on 9-13 shooting and a 6-7 mark from the free throw line.
Lubin's double-double leads Vanderbilt to first road SEC win
The better the game Lubin had last year, it seemed like the better Vanderbilt played. Such was the case on February 27, when Lubin recorded a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double in the Commodores' 85-82 win at Arkansas.
Lubin matches career-high in points, records double-double in upset of Florida
The Florida Gators were poised to have a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, but Vanderbilt exposed some of their weaknesses in both teams' SEC regular-season finale.
Lubin matched his career-high point total in the Commodores' 79-78 victory, recording 25 points. Lubin also added 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double on the year.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : Ven-Allen Lubin player profile for 2024-2025 UNC basketball season
