UNC Basketball Player Preview: Can Neo Avdalas Become Carolina’s Biggest Matchup Nightmare?

The annual North Carolina roster preview series on Locked On Tar Heels is moving deeper into the sophomore class.

After opening the series with freshmen Maximo Adams, Sayon Keita, Malloy Smith, and Kevin Thomas, then beginning the sophomores with NC State transfer Matt Able, the sixth installment turns to another ACC transfer: former Virginia Tech guard Neoklis “Neo” Avdalas.

And there might not be a more unique player on Michael Malone’s first UNC roster.

At 6-foot-9, Avdalas possesses the size of a forward but operates offensively like a guard. That combination prompted Locked On Tar Heels guest Jonathan Adams of the Point to the Passer podcast to call him perhaps the most intriguing player on Carolina’s roster.

Avdalas arrives in Chapel Hill after starting all 31 games he played for Virginia Tech as a freshman. He averaged 12.1 points, 4.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 31.7 minutes per game, leading the Hokies in assists while carrying a substantial offensive workload. He shot 38.6% overall and 31.4% from 3-point range.

Those shooting percentages don't immediately jump off the page, but context matters.

Avdalas was frequently asked to create offense for himself and others in Blacksburg, including late-clock situations and isolation opportunities that don't necessarily fit his greatest strengths. At Carolina, his usage should decrease while the talent surrounding him increases.

That could unlock the best version of the Greek guard (who Adams has affectionately dubbed, "The Big Kalamata").

Avdalas excels when operating with pace, particularly in pick-and-roll situations. He uses his size and vision to see passing angles smaller guards cannot, changes speeds effectively and is especially dangerous once he gets a defender on his hip. He doesn't need elite explosiveness to get where he wants because of his feel, timing and ability to manipulate defenders.

That's where Malone could get creative.

Rather than requiring Avdalas to function as Carolina's primary downhill creator, UNC can use him alongside Terrence Brown and Able as a connector and secondary playmaker. Brown's ability to attack and Able's athleticism and scoring should relieve Avdalas of some of the creation burden he carried at Virginia Tech.

The result could be a remarkably difficult backcourt to defend.

There are still areas for improvement. Avdalas needs greater consistency, additional strength and conditioning and better counters when elite defenders prevent him from creating separation. Shot selection will also be critical. According to the podcast discussion, Avdalas converted 66.2% of his attempts at the rim last season but just 29.8% on other 2-point attempts, highlighting the need to eliminate difficult contested mid-range shots.The 3-point shot is perhaps the biggest swing skill. Avdalas shot 40% from deep during his final season playing professionally in Greece before dipping to 31.4% at Virginia Tech. Adams' bold prediction was that Avdalas could shoot 40% from 3 at Carolina if improved shot selection and more catch-and-shoot opportunities lead to cleaner looks.

The Locked On Tar Heels expectation is that Avdalas starts alongside Brown and Able, regardless of which traditional positional labels are attached to the three. His floor is essentially another version of his productive-but-inconsistent freshman campaign.

His ceiling is far more fascinating.

If Avdalas becomes a more efficient shooter while utilizing his size, passing and playmaking within Malone's offense, he has the tools to become one of the ACC's most difficult guards to match up with — and potentially work himself into NBA first-round consideration.

The boldest prediction of the preview? Avdalas records the third triple-double in North Carolina basketball history, a possibility fueled less by hopes for massive scoring totals and more by his ability to contribute across the board.

Carolina doesn't need Avdalas to score 30 every night.

If he can give the Tar Heels something closer to 15 points, and timely assists and rebounds on his best nights, while helping Brown and Able maximize their own strengths, his unusual combination of size and skill could become one of the defining features of Malone's first UNC team.

Here's the full Avdalas preview episode on Locked On Tar Heels: