UNC basketball 2024-25 player review: Cade Tyson
UNC basketball 2024-25 player review: Cade Tyson Will Cade Tyson play his final year of college basketball at UNC?
The 2024-25 UNC basketball season is in the books, and with that, it's time for our player season reviews for the campaign.
We're continuing our review with Cade Tyson, the junior forward who transferred with plenty of hype from Belmont Univeristy during the 2024 offseason. The hope was for Tyson to replicate Brady Manek's game, acting as a small forward or stretch four who could contribute from anywhere.
Tyson showed plenty of promise during the early portion of North Carolina's conference schedule, highlighted by a 23-point outing during a 93-67 win over La Salle in December. Many hoped this was the game that elevated Tyson into the Tar Heels' starting lineup, but instead, this was the last game Tyson scored in double-digits.
I don't have any explanation for why Tyson played so little this year, but as of April 3, he's still on UNC's roster. With Jae'Lyn Withers gone and Drake Powell possibly declaring for the NBA Draft, I'll bet Tyson's role increases significantly for North Carolina's 2025-2026 campaign.
Tyson actually grew up in the Tar Heel State, playing his high school basketball at Carmel Christian School in Matthews (Charlotte suburb). Let's take a deeper dive into Tyson's junior season – his first in Chapel Hill.
2024-25 stats: 2.6 points, 1.1 rebounds, 0.1 assists per game, 40.3 percent field goal shooting in 31 games
Season in Review
Tyson showcased good potential early in UNC's non-conference schedule, highlighted by his 23-point outing against La Salle. In that game, Tyson made nine of his 14 shots (5-of-10 from deep) and added five rebounds, two steals, plus an assist and block each.
Previously, Tyson scored 11 points against fellow NCAA Tournament team American University in a 107-55 blowout victory for North Carolina.
Tyson played a minimum 10 minutes just three times during the Tar Heels' 2025 portion of their schedule, most recently 14 minutes at Florida State on February 24. This was part of UNC's season-long winning streak that elevated them back into the NCAA Tournament picture.
What's next?
I wouldn't blame Tyson if he enters the transfer portal, given his lack of playing time this past season, but the Tar Heels took a chance on him in the 2024 offseason portal. Tyson is coming off his first year at a Power Four program, which is an adjustment from playing at mid-majors like Belmont.
I imagine that Tyson stays, as he'll likely have a larger role off the bench. If Powell leaves for the NBA Draft, more minutes open up for Tyson. But he still has to prove he can play at this level to earn the trust of coaches.
There's really no telling what Tyson will do next, but UNC could certainly use his 3-point shooting skills this coming fall.
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