UNC Doubles Down on Basketball with Massive Investment, Roster Overhaul, and New Leadership
North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis, in collaboration with newly appointed general manager Jim Tanner, has reshaped the Tar Heels’ roster with six key additions this offseason, capped off by the commitment of international guard Luka Bogavac. This move not only closes out their transfer portal efforts but also reflects the university’s renewed financial commitment to restoring the men’s basketball program to national prominence.
UNC’s recent aggressive investment in its athletic programs — most notably hiring Bill Belichick to lead the football team — signals a shift in institutional mindset. While the football hire grabbed headlines, the significant spending in basketball shows the administration’s determination to reverse a decline that has made the last six years the program’s least successful stretch in the modern era.
Sources report that UNC has committed over $14 million toward building its 2025–26 men’s basketball roster, more than three times what was allocated the previous year. The hiring of Tanner, who commands an $850,000 salary, further illustrates this dedication. The funding boosts have eliminated any excuses for underperformance in the modern college game, where NIL, transfers, and player mobility are prevalent.
Davis, who led UNC to a national title game in 2022 and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2024, has proven capable of achieving high-level success. Still, consistency has been lacking, as the team missed the NCAA Tournament in 2023 and received only an 11-seed in 2025, despite earning a No. 1 seed in 2024.
Historically, Carolina basketball has been defined not just by its championship highs but also by its remarkably high floor. From 37 straight top-3 ACC finishes to 23 consecutive NCAA Tournament bids and 13 straight Sweet Sixteen appearances, UNC’s tradition is built on sustained excellence. But under Davis, the team has been ranked in the AP poll for just 33 of 82 weeks, with most of that recognition coming during the 2023-24 season.
A return to that standard is now expected, and Tanner’s presence has brought early promise. Since taking over just three months ago, he’s guided the Tar Heels through a strong transfer portal showing. His first class includes center Henri Veesaar (7-0), forward Jarin Stevenson (6-11), wing Jonathan Powell (6-6), guards Kyan Evans (6-2) and Jaydon Young, and the 6-5 Bogavac. The class reflects Davis’s push for greater length and versatility.
Tanner’s hiring marks UNC’s entrance into a new era of roster management. As founder of Tandem Sports + Entertainment and former agent to over 70 NBA players, Tanner brings experience and a modern vision to a role that’s become essential across top-tier college programs. Athletic director Bubba Cunningham emphasized this shift, calling the GM position a necessity in today’s competitive landscape.
While it will take time to judge Tanner’s full impact, particularly how this new-look roster gels on the court next season, his offseason moves have already helped position UNC for a rebound. Plans are in place for Tanner to expand his personnel team, develop analytic systems, and implement a comprehensive player development framework.
UNC’s renewed commitment is not just symbolic. From increasing men’s basketball spending from $10.8 million in 2022–23 to $13.4 million in 2023–24, to projecting over $7 million in staff salaries for 2025–26, the program is financially all-in. Davis himself will earn $3.3 million next season, with another $1.25 million in performance bonuses available, under a contract extension running through 2030.
Once known for being frugal — Roy Williams famously joked about needing just enough money for golf balls — UNC is now spending big across coaching salaries, NIL efforts, infrastructure, and player support. Since NIL rules changed in 2021, support staff pay alone has grown by 150%.
The university’s increased financial stake sets the expectation for a return to national relevance. With the resources now in place, the challenge for Davis and Tanner is to translate that commitment into wins and restore UNC basketball to the elite level it once consistently commanded.
Leave a Reply