UNC Courts Billy Donovan Amid Bulls Uncertainty

Merlin sees UNC quietly circling Billy Donovan after misses on Dusty May and Tommy Lloyd. Matt Norlander reports Donovan "is open to the possibility" but will not discuss job talks until after the NBA regular season ends on April 12, and there is "no guarantee" UNC would offer or he would take it. That timing risks the transfer portal and the April 15 signing window. Donovan's college pedigree is clear, with two national titles at Florida and 16 straight 20-win seasons, followed by nine NBA seasons since 2015. Chicago's late-season collapse has created "pressure mounting" on the Bulls, making a split plausible. UNC reportedly remains focused on Donovan but has fallback names. Merlin senses urgency; the program needs a quick decision to steady recruiting and the portal tide.