UNC Basketball: Kennedy Meeks has found a new home

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 11: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers guards Kennedy Meeks #5 of Maccabi Haifa in the first half of the game at Staples Center on October 11, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 11: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers guards Kennedy Meeks #5 of Maccabi Haifa in the first half of the game at Staples Center on October 11, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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The former UNC basketball standout and 2017 NCAA champion finds new opportunity in France.

Former University of North Carolina basketball standout Kennedy Meeks has signed a new contract to play in France.

"“France is somewhere I always wanted to go and it’s a very unique opportunity for me and my career,” Meeks told Ceilingistheroof.com. “I’m excited about meeting the team and trying to go on a championship run.”"

According to BasketEurope.com, Meeks agreed to terms with Cholet Basket of the Pro A French League. The organization had been targeting Dwight Coleby, a native of Nassau, Bahamas that played for Ole Miss, Kansas and Western Kentucky from 2013 to 2018, but withdrew their interest due to medical reasons. That’s when they decided to sign Meeks, a four-year starter for the Tar Heels that began his professional career in the NBA G-League, but has been playing abroad since 2018.

His most recent work on the hardwood was in Korea for the Seoul Samsung Thunders, but he played just eight games and never seemed to get his footing — he averaged just 8.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Prior to that, though, he looked very good in Japan, averaging nearly 15 points and 11 rebounds during the 2018-19 season, and 21 points and 11 rebounds the following year. If that’s the Meeks that shows up in France, then Cholet is getting a steal. The 6-foot-9 power forward, who doesn’t turn 27 until February, still has plenty of gas left in the tank.

Meeks is just over four years removed from his final season at North Carolina, a season in which the Tar Heels won 33 games and captured the 2017 national championship.

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Check back with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on Kennedy Meeks, and UNC basketball alumni across the globe.