How ACC Teams Can Use AI to Build Rosters in the Era of NIL

College basketball is changing fast. The combination of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) and the transfer portal has created a new era where roster building looks more like managing a pro team than a traditional college program. For ACC coaches trying to navigate this chaos, artificial intelligence might be the secret weapon they need.

AI isn't just a buzzword anymore. Programs across the country are beginning to explore how data, algorithms, and machine learning can help them gain a competitive edge. For teams in the ACC, using AI the right way could mean the difference between rebuilding and reloading.

Roster Building with Real Intelligence

With constant player movement and NIL deals shaping decisions, coaches are juggling more variables than ever before. AI can simplify that chaos by offering insights that go beyond the box score. For example, AI models can:

• Project performance based on past data from NCAA, JUCO, or international leagues

• Analyze fit for specific systems and playing styles

• Predict how players might mesh together in terms of on-court roles and personalities

• Evaluate a player’s NIL potential using metrics like social media reach or fan engagement

A program like Syracuse or Georgia Tech could use these tools to find under-the-radar transfers or freshmen who are a perfect fit, even if they're not making national headlines.

Smarter NIL Decisions

In this new environment, NIL isn't just about paying stars. It's about understanding value. That’s where AI can help collectives and schools make smarter decisions.

AI can look at both a player's on-court impact and off-court brand to evaluate whether they’re worth an NIL investment. It can combine game data, engagement metrics, and even geographic or demographic factors to find players who bring real return—both in wins and in exposure.

Let’s say Wake Forest is deciding between two transfer targets. One scores more points, but the other has a higher efficiency rating, fits better in the team’s system, and has a growing social following in North Carolina. AI could surface those insights quickly, helping the program and its supporters spend their NIL dollars wisely.

The Transfer Portal at Full Speed

Every spring, the portal floods with thousands of players. Coaches can't watch film on all of them, and that's where AI becomes invaluable. It can filter the player pool based on specific team needs, find system matches, and even flag players who are likely to improve with the right coaching.

Imagine Louisville using AI to find a backup point guard who plays with tempo, defends well, and comes from a program that runs a similar scheme. Instead of chasing big names, they’d target players who can contribute immediately and fit their culture.

Human Touch Still Matters

AI won't replace great coaching or gut instinct. It’s a tool that helps coaches make better decisions, faster. The best programs will be the ones that use AI to support what they already do well—identify talent, build chemistry, and create a winning culture.

For ACC teams trying to adapt to this new era of NIL and roster fluidity, embracing AI might be the smartest move they can make. The technology is here. The question is, who’s ready to use it?