UNC picks up transfer commitment from Harrison Ingram: How will the former Cardinal fit?

Harrison Ingram will be transferring to North Carolina, the forward announced via social media Saturday. Here’s what you need to know:

Ingram spent the past two seasons with Stanford, averaging 10.5 points per game each season and 6.2 rebounds per game in 65 career games.
North Carolina underwhelmed in 2022-23, going 20-13 after opening the season as the nation’s No. 1 team in the AP preseason poll.
Ingram was the No. 12-ranked player available in The Athletic’s transfer portal rankings.

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

Scouting report

Ingram was seen as a potential one-and-done draft pick prior to his freshman season, and he had some success. He was the Pac-12’s Rookie of the Year in 2022, but closed the year incredibly poorly and decided to return to Stanford for his sophomore campaign. Unfortunately, he did not showcase much in the way of growth.

Ingram still shot under 32 percent from 3 and under 60 percent from the line. A limited athlete at 6-foot-8, Ingram has tremendous feel for the game as a passer and playmaker. You can even run him as a point guard at times and find some success due to how effective he is at making decisions. But he can’t really separate from his man in the halfcourt and is more comfortable in those settings in transition. As a halfcourt player, you kind of want him to spot up at times, but he also needs to work through some issues with the shot.

Still, Ingram is an 11-point, six-rebound, four-assist player that is very well-rounded and could find very real success outside of a Stanford situation that, frankly, has been less than ideal over the last few years. — Moore and Vecenie

How Ingram fits at UNC

From a strict roster construction standpoint, he fits perfectly. Because let’s just be very honest about the situation: North Carolina desperately needs wings after losing four already this offseason. So in that respect, Ingram fills a need. He’s got ideal size, at 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, and can alternate between the three and four because of that. Also, Ingram is UNC’s latest transfer import with college experience aplenty; the former five-star prospect started 65 games in the last two seasons at Stanford. (North Carolina’s other three transfers this spring — Paxson Wojcik, Jae’Lyn Withers and Cormac Ryan — have all played in at least 80 career games.) Put those two things together, combined with Ingram’s pedigree as a former five-star talent, and he should slot into the Tar Heels’ starting lineup from the jump.

Now, the fit? That’s slightly less ironclad. Ingram’s per-game averages are solid, and his passing acumen — he was just outside the top 150 nationally in assist rate last season, per KenPom — will pay dividends from the perimeter. (Where Leaky Black regressed as a facilitator last season, Ingram should be able to step in and help.)

The bigger question is about Ingram as a floor-spacer. He’s a career 31.6 percent 3-point shooter on 3.5 attempts per game; for his 65-game career, he’s hit multiple 3s 19 times … and not made a single trey 21 times. Given North Carolina’s shooting woes last season, ideally, you’d like to find someone a little more proven from deep, but that’s what R.J. Davis and Ryan are for. In total, Ingram is obviously a nice fit, but to what extent his shooting translates — or improves — will ultimately determine how this marriage works. — Marks

What’s next for the Tar Heels?

Even with four transfers now in the fold, coach Hubert Davis and his staff still have two more available scholarships to fill. But from how the depth chart is shaking out, as you can see, it’s clear where the team’s needs are:

It would behoove the Tar Heels to add at least one more big body — ideally one who can back up Bacot — and also likely another wing. (Dunn can play up as a wing, but is better suited as a two guard.) And remember: There’s no rush to get either of those things done. The portal season isn’t close to closing, so there’s time for patience, especially now that there are fewer spots to fill. — Marks