Forward Desmond Claude is weighing his options after entering the transfer portal, with the UNC basketball program reportedly showing interest. Claude, a 6-foot-6 junior who previously played for Southern Cal and Xavier, averaged over 15 points in each of the past two seasons.
Joe Tipton reported earlier in the week that Claude was considering North Carolina, Kansas, Virginia, and Florida. He visited Florida recently, according to reports.
However, Florida coach Todd Golden and his staff have decided not to continue pursuing the transfer guard, according to recent reports. The Gators recently completed an NCAA Tournament run that ended in a national championship.
Florida is looking to replace guards from their championship roster including Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard and Alijah Martin. The team's current recruiting class features four incoming guards.
These additions include freshman CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd, along with transfers Xaivian Lee from Princeton and AJ Brown from Ohio. Brown is the brother of current Florida guard Isaiah Brown.
At Ohio, AJ Brown averaged 13.2 points per game. Lee posted averages of 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists at Princeton last season.
Desmond Claude averaged 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last season as a full-time starter at Southern Cal. He shot 48.2 percent from the field.
His sophomore season at Xavier saw similar scoring numbers, serving as a breakout year after a reserve role as a freshman.
Claude was a four-star prep prospect ranked No. 86 overall in the 247Sports 2022 Composite coming out of Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut. He is now ranked No. 34 overall among transfers this year and No. 9 among point guards.
UNC basketball coach Hubert Davis has already brought in five transfers, and the program's transfer class is currently ranked No. 16 nationally by 247Sports.
