An almost total rebuild was needed for the UAB basketball program this offseason, following the departures of six graduates and two portal entries, and Andy Kennedy has done what he does best in reaching into the transfer portal for a Power 5 stud.

The Blazers officially announced the signing of former Oak Mountain standout and North Carolina transfer Will Shaver on Thursday, increasing UAB’s class to nine signees this offseason.

“We are excited to welcome Will back home to Birmingham as a member of Blazer Basketball,” UAB head coach Andy Kennedy said, “At 6′10, Will brings a unique skill set to our front court. His versatility puts him in a position to make an immediate impact next season.”

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Shaver redshirted his initial (Spring) semester at North Carolina, when the Tar Heels advanced to the national championship game in the 2021-2022 season, and appeared in three games this past season after suffering a broken foot and ending his season prematurely. He entered the transfer portal this offseason and signed a finical aid agreement with Belmont but did not sign his letter of intent, freeing the 6-foot-10 center to sign elsewhere.

A 4-star prospect and the second-ranked player in Alabama during the 2021 recruiting cycle, according to the One3 Industry Ranking, Shaver opted to forgo his senior season at Oak Mountain and enrolled at North Carolina for the spring semester. Before signing with the Tar Heels, Shaver led Oak Mountain to back-to-back state tournament appearances and the 2021 Class 7A state title. He averaged 14.3 points and 7.7 rebounds during the Eagles’ championship run and was named Second-Team All-State by the ASWA.

Shaver joins JUCO signees Christian Coleman (South Plains College), Alejandro Vasquez (Salt Lake) and teammates Yaxel Lendelborg and Marquise Hargrove (Western Arizona). Additionally, UAB signed prep standout KJ Satterfield, who attended the same prep school as Vasquez and former UAB great Jordan “Jelly” Walker, and Ole Miss’ James White, UNA’s Daniel Ortiz and Arkansas’ Barry Dunning.

The Blazers lost six seniors from a team that finished the 2022-2023 season at 29-10 overall — setting the program record for wins in a season — and runner-up to North Texas in the NIT. Rongie Gordon and Tyler Bertram entered the transfer portal following the season and Eric Gaines is currently testing the NBA waters while retaining his eligibility.