UNC Basketball finally has the size it desperately needed. Cameron Fens changes the entire dynamic for the team, addressing a critical weakness that plagued the roster last season. According to Tar Heel Blog, the squad had three players listed at center but lacked true experience. Only one player, Cade Bennerman, is from the United States, and he hasn’t played a meaningful minute on the court yet. The other two centers come from overseas and they’re still adjusting to the speed of the American game.
It’s a situation that needed fixing.
A Proven Winner on the Court
Fens is a ready-made center, not a project player. He played every single game for South Dakota last year. Per Tar Heel Blog, he was one of just two players to suit up for all 32 games. That level of durability is rare in college sports. He averaged 25.2 minutes per game, which matches the workload of current UNC starter Jarin Stevenson. His stats are exactly what a team needs to win. In each game, he scored an average of fourteen points and grabbed almost nine rebounds. These numbers prove he can hold his own against top competition.
The team now has a model for how to play inside. Fens offers a clear path for the other centers to follow. Sean May, a holdover from the previous staff, will help teach the fundamentals. Coach Michael Malone can also lean on his past success with players like Nikola Jokić (who, for the record, won MVP with the Nuggets). This combination of coaching and player talent increases the team’s ability to dominate the paint. The depth adds a layer of security that was missing before.
Speed Meets Power in New System
Coach Malone wants to play with pace, and Fens fits that plan. Videos released by the team show a huge emphasis on speed. Every player on the court helps this strategy work better. Fens brings the durability needed to keep up with this fast style. He’s built to last through the whole season, not just big for a moment. This helps the team avoid the fatigue issues that often hurt smaller lineups. The new staff wants to attack with speed, and Fens provides the anchor to make that happen.
The transition from South Dakota to Chapel Hill is a big step up. The competition level will be much higher. But Fens has already shown he can handle a heavy workload. His stats from last season suggest he won’t shrink from the challenge. The Tar Heels have found a player who can start immediately or provide instant relief off the bench. This depth allows the coaching staff to rotate players without losing quality. It’s a smart move for both the current season and the future.
