Key keywords: Matt Able, NC State transfer, 2024 NBA Draft withdrawal, UNC men's basketball, ACC college basketball, transfer portal, NBA Draft prospect, Tar Heels basketball Multiple reputable college basketball insiders confirmed on Thursday that former NC State combo guard Matt Able has officially withdrawn his name from the 2024 NBA Draft pool and committed to join the University of North Carolina men’s basketball program for the 2024-2025 season, marking one of the most surprising and high-impact moves of this year’s transfer portal cycle. A 6-foot-4 guard who spent the past three seasons at NC State, Able emerged as one of the most consistent offensive threats in the ACC last year, averaging 13.2 points, 3.8 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 39.2% from 3-point range on over 6 attempts per contest. He initially declared for the 2024 NBA Draft in late March, retaining his collegiate eligibility to allow him to collect feedback from NBA front offices before making a final decision. Over the past two months, Able participated in pre-draft workouts with 11 NBA franchises, but received consistent feedback that he was projected as a late second-round pick or undrafted free agent, leading him to choose to return to college for one more season to boost his draft stock. His decision to transfer to UNC, rather than return to NC State, has sent shockwaves across the ACC, as the two programs are long-standing in-state rivals with one of the most heated competitive histories in college sports. In a public statement released shortly after the news broke, Able explained that he had multiple in-depth conversations with UNC head coach Hubert Davis over the past three weeks, and was convinced that UNC’s system focused on guard play, perimeter skill development and high-profile national exposure would give him the best chance to refine his game and raise his profile for the 2025 NBA Draft. He also thanked NC State’s coaching staff, teammates and fanbase for their support over the past three years, noting that his decision was driven purely by his long-term professional goals. For UNC, Able’s arrival fills a critical gap in the team’s backcourt, following the departure of starting guards Caleb Love and R.J. Davis to professional careers earlier this offseason. Analysts project that Able will step directly into UNC’s starting lineup as the team’s primary ball-handler and secondary scoring option alongside returning All-American forward Armando Bacot, immediately making the Tar Heels a consensus preseason top-3 team in national rankings and a clear favorite to win the ACC regular season title next year. The move also reshapes the upcoming ACC season’s competitive landscape, with NC State now facing a major gap in their guard rotation as they look to replace their leading returning scorer.