NC State fans chant ‘No means no’ at UNC’s Zayden High, suspended for sexual exploitation in 2024

During a rivalry game between NC State and North Carolina in Raleigh on Tuesday, Wolfpack fans chanted “No means no” at UNC forward Zayden High, along with other chants that appeared to reference High’s removal from the Tar Heels’ roster last season amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

This was reported by the Raleigh News & ObserverHigh was suspended by the university in 2024 for violating its sexual exploitation policy. High’s suspension reportedly lasted one semester, plus another probationary period during which he was not allowed to represent the school or participate in athletics in any way.

With North Carolina starting frontcourt forward Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar both unavailable for the game due to injuries, High — who started for the first time in his college career against Pittsburgh on Saturday — started again. He recorded 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Tar Heels before fouling out with 5:37 to play in an 82–55 Wolfpack victory, NC State’s biggest win against North Carolina since 1962.

Former Illinois star Terrence Shannon Jr. faced similar chants at a Northwestern game two seasons ago while facing charges of rape and sexual assault; he was ultimately found not guilty of these charges. Shannon was suspended for six games after initially being charged in December 2023, but was granted a temporary restraining order allowing him to return to the court for the remainder of the Illinois season. Shannon was selected 27th overall in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

A former four-star recruit, High barely played as a freshman in 2023-24, averaging 4.5 minutes per game for a UNC team that won the ACC and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.