UNC freshman guard Derek Dixon plans to enter portal after breakout first season
Derek Dixon, North Carolina’s standout freshman point guard, is entering the transfer portal, he announced on Instagram Monday afternoon. The post comes shortly after news broke of UNC’s intention to hire Michael Malone as its next head basketball coach.
Dixon specified in his post that he is entering the portal “with the option to return to UNC.”
“This has been one of the best years of my life and has been a journey that I will always remember,” Dixon wrote on Instagram. “I want to thank Coach Davis for believing in me and all my teammates for making this such a special season.”
The 6-foot-5 guard from Vienna, Virginia, appeared in all 33 games for UNC this season. He averaged 6.5 points, 2.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game.
After coming off the bench early in the year, Dixon earned a starting role during North Carolina’s road trip to California in January and stayed in the lineup the rest of the season.
Dixon shot nearly 40% from three and 36.5% from the field. He led the Tar Heels in free-throw percentage at 81.8% and assist/turnover ratio at 2.33.
Throughout the season, then-head coach Hubert Davis praised Dixon for his impulse to run towards “the moment” and handle pressure.
Dixon delivered clutch moments throughout the season, including late-game buckets in a road win over Kentucky in December and the assist on Seth Trimble’s buzzer-beater against Duke in February.
‘My favorite year of basketball’
The freshman guard also shot nearly 50% from the field in the month of March, a stretch that saw the Tar Heels drop their last three games of the season after Caleb Wilson — Dixon’s close friend and fellow freshman — was ruled out for the season.
Speaking to the N&O following UNC’s season-ending loss to VCU, Dixon said his favorite part of his freshman season was getting to know his teammates.
“This is my favorite year of basketball I’ve ever had because of these guys,” an emotional Dixon said, later adding, “just being in the locker room every day — it’s a hilarious group. I love spending time with them.”
Dixon also developed a close bond with Charlotte Hornets guard and former Tar Heel Coby White. The NBA player took time throughout the season to give Dixon advice — even inviting the freshman to watch him work out during a February visit to Chapel Hill.
“Just trying to learn from him whenever I can,” Dixon said Feb. 14 after a win over Pitt. “It’s cool having him here.”
Dixon described Chapel Hill as a “special place” in his statement on Instagram and wrote he is “truly grateful” for the time spent there, as well as the fans who supported and welcomed him.
A D.C. prep standout
Before arriving in Chapel Hill, Dixon led Gonzaga College High School to the D.C. state championship and earned 2025 Gatorade Player of the Year honors for D.C.
After an impactful freshman season in Chapel Hill, Dixon will explore opportunities to continue his college career elsewhere.
“I want to thank everyone who has helped me get here,” Dixon wrote on Instagram. “I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
He is the third Tar Heel to announce his intentions to enter the transfer portal, following guards Jaydon Young and Isaiah Denis.
This story was originally published April 6, 2026 at 5:31 PM.
