'Whatever it takes': UNC forward Cade Tyson brings shooting, versatility to Tar Heels

Make or miss, the result doesn’t matter to Cade Tyson. 

He takes (and drains) hundreds of shots with assistant coach Jeff Lebo. What is the highest number of shots he’s ever made at practice? Tyson doesn't know. 

Someone does. Lebo, or a manager, or the video department. But not Tyson.

“I like there to be no expectations going in,” he said. “Whatever happens, happens. I just put my best foot forward.”

While Tyson is clear-minded and level-headed, the external expectations are high for the four-star junior transfer. In two seasons at Belmont, he averaged 15 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. He shot 49.2 percent from the floor, 44.6 percent from three and 85.7 percent from the line. Tyson was Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year in 2023 and second-team All-Conference in 2024. 

After the loss of guard Cormac Ryan and forward Harrison Ingram, who averaged a combined 23.7 points per game, Tyson brings perimeter shooting and versatility to the Tar Heels.

“The first thing that people think about or see is his ability to shoot the basketball throughout his career,” head coach Hubert Davis said. “But with his size at 6' 8", he can rebound on both ends, he can handle the ball, he can facilitate, he can defend. So it allows us to move him around a number of different spots.”

Tyson grew up in a basketball family in Monroe, N.C., just outside of Charlotte. His dad, Jonathan Tyson, played at Wingate. His older brother, Hunter, was an All-ACC star at Clemson and now plays in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets. 

Hunter is a role model and mentor for Cade. The two played against each other in the driveway when they were younger. The competition occasionally got so fierce that their dad would have to step in.

“There were some days and some weeks that we didn’t say a word to each other after some one-on-one games,” Cade said.

Hunter was bigger and stronger. He never took it easy on Cade. 

“It was hard for Cade,” Jonathan said. “That was really a productive struggle. It helped him improve and grow in his game and also helped him to mature into a strong young man.”

In high school, Tyson scored over 2,000 points for Carmel Christian School. His senior year, he was named North Carolina Mr. Basketball and dropped 31 points in a state championship win.

But he wasn’t highly recruited. His final three schools were Mercer, Coastal Carolina and Belmont.

“I had a chip on my shoulder,” Cade said. “Especially seeing my brother go before me and all the attention he got.” 

After his sophomore season at Belmont, Tyson decided he wanted to play at a higher level. He entered the transfer portal on Mar. 25. 

Before visiting UNC, he had never been to Chapel Hill. His family came to see Hunter play against the Tar Heels, but Tyson always had a practice or a game. When he finally came to Chapel Hill, he loved it. He liked the history and family atmosphere. 

He committed to North Carolina on Apr. 28.

Tyson feels comfortable playing both the three and the four. He spaces the floor, opens up driving lanes and knocks down perimeter shots. He has drawn comparisons to former Tar Heel Brady Manek. 

“He’s given us that extra plus on the offensive end that we were looking for,” junior guard Seth Trimble said. “If you play off of him, if you play too much in gaps, he’ll make you pay.”

But Tyson is more than just a lights-out shooter.

He put on weight this summer and feels more comfortable rebounding and playing in the post. He’s also become quicker and can drive when defenses try to run him off the 3-point line. 

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get on the floor,” Tyson said. “No matter what spot [Coach Davis] wants me at.”

Off the court, Tyson is quiet and humble. Trimble has to remind him how good he is.

Tyson said his humility comes from his faith. It gives him the perspective that basketball is just a game. And that perspective impacts his mindset on the court.

So, he doesn’t think about the misses or the makes. He exudes a humble confidence. The only thing he’s thinking?

“Just let it fly.”

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com