Will RJ Davis of UNC basketball return for the upcoming season?
The Chapel Hill Will RJ Davis, a basketball player for UNC, return to the Tar Heels for the upcoming season?
The question of whether Davis had mentally prepared for Tuesday’s matchup with Notre Dame came up after UNC’s victory over NC State on March 2. Though Davis hasn’t given it much thought, this could be his last game at the Smith Center.
“I’m attempting to decide which shoes to wear. That was the first thought that entered Davis’s mind, he laughed.
“I’m sure it will be quite emotional. I’m sure there will be a lot of applause and other activities. I’m just kind of picturing how it’s going to go, walking that stage and holding my jersey up in the picture.
“I’m just really pleased to simply throw on this North Carolina jersey and finish up my senior year strong, but it’s going to be emotional for sure. Hopefully, it turns out well.
If Davis was depressed Tuesday night at the Smith Center, a different reporter inquired.
“I could cry a little. He remarked, “Last year, when Armando Bacot was here and Garrison Brooks was here, I almost started crying.” They almost got me every year. Now that I’m in my senior year, I might start crying. Who knows, though?
Davis has the opportunity to return to UNC for a fifth season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though Davis is the clear favorite to earn ACC Player of the Year, he is putting together an All-American season and is unsure about his future plans.
He is deserving of celebration, thus we will be honoring him as a senior. During the ACC’s weekly coaches teleconference on Monday, UNC head coach Hubert Davis stated, “I have not had any conversations with him because it’s not a conversation that needs to be addressed right now.”
“Right now, our focus is on us becoming the best team that we can possibly become. Then, after the season, we’ll have a discussion; it’s not really a discussion. I’m in favor of what each individual player wants to do. … Whatever decision that they feel is best for them and their family, I am in 100% support of that.
“So, if RJ decided not to come back for an extra COVID year, I’m in 100% support of that. If he would come back, I am in 100% support of that. I’m glad that our players have choices. More importantly … I’m so excited for the season that RJ has had. That’s the thing that puts a smile on my face.”
Through 29 games, Davis is averaging an ACC-best 21.4 points per game. He’s the only Tar Heel in program history to reach 1,900 career points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 250 three-pointers and 100 steals.
But according to the latest 2024 NBA Draft projections, Davis isn’t expected to be a first-round pick. So what does teammate and fifth-year center Armando Bacot think Davis will do next season?
Bacot replied, “To be honest, I have no idea.” “We’ll see. I haven’t talked to him much about that.”
Davis is committed to helping the Tar Heels (23-6, 15-3 ACC) win the ACC regular-season championship as worries about his future continue to mount.
“Even though it’s been a wild few years, it would mean a lot to me to finish first in the regular season after my final year with this great squad,” Davis remarked.
“That was not done in 2019…” not only hold great significance for me, but also for this program. I don’t want to curse it, but ideally we just finish it.
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