CHAPEL HILL — UNC basketball will open the regular season soon, and center Cameron Fens remains ineligible. 

Fens, a South Dakota transfer, is seeking a fifth year of eligibility. As of Oct. 27, the 7-footer hasn’t been cleared to play for coach Michael Malone’s squad.

In late August, the Tennessee Court of Appeals issued an order staying the injunction that had granted temporary relief to Fens and other athletes. 

“Really no update other than he’s still, unfortunately, ineligible at this time. We are allowing this process to play out. It’s one of the great mysteries for me, coming from the NBA, to have certain states are allowing guys to play and other states aren’t. What’s the difference?” Michael Malone said after the Tar Heels’ 89-82 overtime exhibition win against Charlotte. 

“I would hope that the NCAA, at some point in time, tries to clean this up. Because Cameron Fens deserves to play. Cameron Fens deserves to be out there. All we’re doing right now is supporting him wholeheartedly, both he and his family. It’s not easy for him going through practice every day, knowing that at this point in time, he’s not eligible. We believe in case and we’re gonna continue to fight for Cameron Fens.” 

UNC added Fens in August to bolster its frontcourt depth. He averaged 14.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game last season. The Tar Heels added three newcomers in international prospects Sayon Keita and Alex Samodurov, along with Northwestern transfer Cade Bennerman, to join senior returner Jarin Stevenson. 

Stevenson and Keita have been UNC’s starters in the post, but the Tar Heels were outrebounded in each of their last two preseason exhibition games against Indiana and Charlotte. 

The Tar Heels open the regular season on Monday, Nov. 2, against Western Carolina at the Smith Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on ACC Network.