NBA Snubs UNC Star RJ Davis from Draft Combine — Fans and Analysts Outraged Over Shocking Omission
CHICAGO — The NBA Draft Combine is in full swing, but one name is conspicuously absent from the spotlight: RJ Davis. Despite an extraordinary college career at North Carolina, Davis has been left off the invite list a decision that’s sparking serious backlash from basketball insiders, Tar Heel Nation, and fans across the country.
Davis, who earned First-Team All-American honors and was crowned the 2024 ACC Player of the Year, averaged 21.2 points per game last season while leading the Tar Heels to a deep NCAA Tournament run. Yet, as the league’s top prospects gather in Chicago from May 13–28, the 6-foot guard is nowhere to be seen.
A Stunning Snub for One of College Basketball’s Brightest Stars
Social media exploded once the final Combine invite list dropped and RJ Davis’ name wasn’t on it. Analysts questioned how a player of his caliber decorated, experienced, and productive could be overlooked. One user wrote on X, “How is RJ Davis NOT at the combine? He’s literally everything you want in a college guard. Leadership, scoring, toughness. This makes no sense.”
Others believe the snub comes down to a familiar theme: size. At just six feet tall, Davis has long faced questions about how his game will translate to the next level. Despite his elite scoring ability, basketball IQ, and leadership, scouts have hesitated to fully buy in. Some mock drafts have Davis projected as a late second-round pick, while others list him as potentially undrafted.
A Career Built on Proving People Wrong
Davis has heard the doubt before and silenced it every time. Since arriving in Chapel Hill, he’s elevated his game year after year, culminating in a senior season that saw him become the heart and soul of a resurgent UNC squad. Even without an NBA Combine invite, Davis remains focused. He’s returned to North Carolina for a fifth year, opting to run it back and chase the national title that narrowly escaped his grasp in 2022.
This past season, Davis averaged 17.3 points, continuing to show the consistency and leadership that made him one of the most beloved Tar Heels in recent memory. While his absence from the Combine is a blow to his draft stock, it also fuels the fire that’s defined his career: the relentless pursuit to prove he belongs.
What Comes Next for RJ Davis?
While some prospects use the Combine to climb draft boards, others have forged their NBA careers through Summer League standouts or two-way contracts. Davis could still hear his name called in June’s NBA Draft, or he may take an alternate route to the league.
Regardless, the Combine snub is just another hurdle and if history tells us anything, it’s that RJ Davis thrives in proving people wrong.
Stay tuned. RJ Davis’ journey is far from over.
Leave a Reply