TRANSFER TARGET for UNC: UCLA's Mac Etienne - ideal for frontcourt depth | 2025 QB Bryce Baker

Following Simeon Wilcher’s de-commitment, the Heels are back to having three available scholarships for 2023-24. One possibility is adding more frontcourt depth, specifically in the form a big-bodied center who could step in if/when Armando Bacot is taking a break, out with foul trouble, or (hopefully not) injured. A candidate is UCLA transfer Mac Etienne. Etienne played a back-up role for the Bruins and projects to be the type of player willing to do so again. Host Isaac Schade shares why Etienne (or someone similar) would be a great fit.
Class of 2025 QB and recent transfer to East Forsyth HS, Bryce Baker, joins the show for an interview to share behind the scenes about what the recruiting process is like, what he’s like as a player, and what he’s like as a person. Baker holds a scholarship offer from Mack Brown and the Tar Heels and has just been at UNC’s camp this week.
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[@Mountain_Drewww]

Here’s a good comparison we need another joel james

[@jamespruett2849]

Bryce Baker what a great young man will make any program better

[@terrilawson4421]

Why does UNC not use football talent anymore on the basketball team like Dean did? Peppers, Curry, Octavius Barnes, etc. In the 90s ,Freddie Jones, James Hamilton, Oscar Davenport, Oscar Sturgis, Greg Black and Leon Johnson could have all played on the team. There is talent on the football team that could fill some roles.

[@Mountain_Drewww]

Because it’s not the 90s no more times change especially if they are focused on football no need to risk a injury in basketball

[@angelg8445]

Yea those days are long gone. Kids start training specifically for sports by 5-7 years old! 🤣 they’re so much more talented than just athletes any more they learn and are expected to know how to shoot,pass, dribble and defend.

[@ericspencer6280]

Mac Etienne would a great addition and would be needed at the 5. Bryce Baker is very well spoken already gives me QB1/Captain vibes. Keep going young man. Great interview!

[@jeffreyPolly]

We definitely need a Bacot backup. Ankles will get turned and when they do we will lose games and it’s already been proven so we ABSOLUTELY NEED a backup 5

[@kellymeade4587]

We need Bryce in Carolina blue!🐏🩵

[@davionharden1815]

Yes and please!!!

[@mrno071321]

Etienne I'll pass, just not impressed with his athleticism and that probably accounts for his low production. JMO as I know absolutely nutn about the kid. Just looked at a short transfer vid and it didn't excite even a little

[@kharylogan9518]

Mac Etienne Would Be A Perfect Fit 17-22 minutes a night getting rebounds blocks and put backs ... Another New York City Guy ... Tough Minded Big

[@jeffreyrichardson-fe4fw]

he would not get 17-22 minutes a game,not at carolina.

[@kharylogan9518]

@@jeffreyrichardson-fe4fw He sure would were soft up front... FWTB .... If Hubert Don't Use The Bench This Season He'll Be Gone

[@gregmann5073]

SOOOO impressed with young Bryce! He will fit in as a student at Carolina very well. Oh yes, as a football player, too. 😁 We gotta get this fine young man in a Carolina uniform!

[@BrandonTWills]

JW can’t guard Bacot in practice but can play center in the NCAA tournament?!? Washington is a 4 not a 5.

[@jeffreyrichardson-fe4fw]

you are right.washington would be better at the 4 spot.we wasted him last year and will watch him leave next year and go somewhere else to play.

[@BrandonTWills]

@@jeffreyrichardson-fe4fw - He definitely needs a chance to show what he’s got. I hope it’s at Carolina, but he might be a square peg getting put in a round hole. Heck, he could even play 3.

[@emiletoscano]

I agree with you. I think Mac would be the best fit and a better backup to Armando than Jalen.

[@BrandonTWills]

Get Bacot some real help or it will be another year on the bubble! The coaches thinking Nance was a 4 & not a 5 doesn’t show good decision making. Now trying to make Jalen Washington a 5 when he is probably a 4, just shows more of the same poor decision making.

[@jeffreyPolly]

Yeeeepppppp

[@lionelhollywood7275]

I don’t know about this UCLA dude he spit on a fan LOL but yeah

[@annmorrow68]

Great poise and presence in Bryce Baker.

[@willhager2236]

Paul Mulcahy could be an interesting Wilcher replacement to pursue. He’s a high percentage shooter, had over 100 assists each of the last two seasons, and has NCAA tournament experience. Wouldn’t impact any 2024 or beyond recruiting which feels important given guys we still want to bring in and/or avoid losing in that class, but he would be another pass-first guard on the roster this year which could cloud things back up in the backcourt. Still seems to fit Coach Davis‘s transfer portal MO this year and I don’t think would be a guy who needs a guarantee to start to come in and join a team so might be good to pursue. I do want Seth to have opportunities to continue to improve to reward him for staying this year but Mulcahy would just be better I think. Etienne would definitely be a good target given his previous production and the role he would take on this year. Would prefer a grad transfer if possible though to again not over-recruit 2024 guys like Brown and to allow Jalen (Washington) to know he would be the top candidate to be the main big man next year after taking this year to add some more strength and muscle and to keep improving after injury. If he still isn’t at that point next year then I would recruit over him with a younger guy early in the portal cycle. I really like Jalen and agree his skill set/build maybe is better for the 4 than the 5, but he won’t/shouldn’t play minutes at the 4 next year or the year after given our current roster and guys we are bringing in in my humble band nerd opinion

[@willhager2236]

I think Jordan Brown is now the guy we should target as a Bacot backup after today!

[@LockedOnTarHeels]

Nice thoughts Will. Mulcahy is definitely an interesting target that lots folks are looking at!

[@NCsurfer607]

I don’t think somebody from the west coast is going want to travel that far to ride the bench limited minutes just saying

[@LockedOnTarHeels]

Only thing is that he's from the East Coast and just went to school out west.

[@Justsomedude64]

Nope. Not athletic enough, the guy can’t jump over a broomstick.

[@jasonallred244]

NO, NO AND NO... HANG IT UP AND LETS SEE WHO EVEN LACES UP AT THE FIRST GAME.

[@BrandonTWills]

Jalen Washington as the center does not sound promising for next year. Bacot is already getting pushed around in the paint; Washington doesn’t stand a chance.

[@EACNUT]

Disagree with that assessment.

[@jeffreyrichardson-fe4fw]

@@EACNUT me too

[@BrandonTWills]

@@EACNUT - Let’s hope y’all are right. There sure doesn’t seem to be anyone else to back up Bacot.

[@grandfresh9196]

good deal...