UNC Basketball Goes All-In: Massive Spending Spree Signals New Era Under Hubert Davis and Jim Tanner
UNC basketball has made its boldest offseason statement yet — and it’s not just about the talent coming in.
With the commitment of Montenegrin guard Luka Bogavac, head coach Hubert Davis and new general manager Jim Tanner have completed their most aggressive offseason reload to date. The Tar Heels have brought in six new players, but perhaps more importantly, they’ve done so with a staggering financial push that reflects just how serious the university is about reclaiming its spot among college basketball’s elite.
Sources confirm that UNC has now surpassed $14 million in investment toward its 2025–26 men’s basketball roster — nearly triple what was spent last season. That includes an $850,000 salary for Tanner, a former NBA agent brought in to modernize the program’s roster building and infrastructure in the new NIL and transfer portal era.
UNC’s lavish spending follows a broader athletic department trend: the university made national waves by hiring Bill Belichick to lead the football program last December. But in basketball, the message is even clearer — mediocrity is not an option. After the worst six-year stretch in modern UNC hoops history, Chapel Hill is officially swinging for the fences.
The upgrades aren’t just about raw cash. Tanner is revamping everything from scouting and analytics to staff development. The staff has grown to 16 full-time members, and overall compensation is expected to eclipse $7 millionnext season. Davis himself signed a two-year extension in December, keeping him in Carolina blue through 2030, with a $3.3 million salary and up to $1.25 million in bonuses.
The roster upgrades match the off-court momentum. In addition to Bogavac — a 6-foot-5 international standout with pro experience — UNC has landed major portal additions like Arizona 7-footer Henri Veesaar and Alabama’s 6-11 forward Jarin Stevenson, reinforcing Davis’ focus on size and versatility. Other key newcomers include West Virginia’s Jonathan Powell, Colorado State’s Kyan Evans, and Virginia Tech’s Jaydon Young.
Though this offseason will be remembered as Tanner’s first test run, real judgment will come in 2026 — once Davis and his staff have had time to mold a retooled roster that blends size, skill, and depth. The Tar Heels’ recent inconsistency — including NCAA Tournament misses and low seeds — has underscored the urgency for a return to dominance.
Davis has acknowledged the need for change. “The old model for Carolina basketball just doesn’t work — it’s not sustainable,” he said in February, referencing the modern challenges of NIL, agents, and international recruiting. Now, with financial backing and a front office-style infrastructure in place, the Tar Heels are no longer playing catch-up.
They’re aiming to lead — and win — again.
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