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Former UNC center officially gains fifth year of eligibility
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- Former UNC center officially gains fifth year of eligibility
Thanks to NIL money and the transfer portal, today's college basketball landscape feels increasingly professional. Just take a look at recent eligibility sagas, like the one involving UNC center Cameron Fens .
Former North Carolina captain Seth Trimble transferred to Louisville for his fifth year, but is currently cleared to play. Ven-Allen Lubin , the Tar Heels' starting center in their 2024-25 season, tried to gain himself a fifth year of eligibility for NC State.
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Good news for the Wolfpack, as Lubin recently earned his fifth year of eligibility , thanks to a temporary injunction by a Texas judge.
Lubin enjoyed his best collegiate season for the Wolfpack last year, averaging career-highs of 13.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, while shooting a career-best 74.3 percent on free throws. Thanks to Lubin's play, NC State made the 2026 NCAA Tournament field after a hiatus the previous season, losing a 68-66 heartbreaker to Texas .
In Chapel Hill, Lubin took over UNC's full-time starting center role midway through ACC play. He originally split time with Jalen Washington at the five, but effectiveness won Lubin that battle.
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North Carolina will go into its 2026-27 campaign with a center duo of Sayon Keita and Alexandros Samodurov, both international additions courtesy of new head coach Michael Malone. Northwestern transfer Cade Bennerman has yet to see the court in college, but that likely changes this fall.
If Fens re-gains eligibility for a fifth season, he likely automatically slots into the Tar Heels' starting center role. State has its answer at the five, but will the Tar Heels get theirs?
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Former UNC center officially gains fifth year of eligibility
