Inside Hubert Davis’ UNC Roster Makeover: 11 Players, 11 Big Questions

Inside Hubert Davis’ UNC Roster Makeover: 11 Players, 11 Big Questions

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Five years into the Hubert Davis era, North Carolina basketball stands at a crossroads between tradition and transformation. The Tar Heels have reached breathtaking highs  a surprise national championship game run in Davis’ debut season and a No. 1 seed in 2024  but also endured painful lows, including missing the NCAA Tournament in 2023 and barely sneaking into the field last spring.

Now, with expectations as high as ever in Chapel Hill, Davis has responded with his boldest roster overhaul yet. “There is a pressure and expectation for us to be good,” Davis said recently. “But that pressure and that expectation is no different than any other year. The standard is at the highest here.”

That standard meant rebuilding nearly the entire rotation. Other than senior guard Seth Trimble, UNC doesn’t return a single significant contributor from last year. Instead, the Tar Heels have pieced together a fascinating mix of transfers, freshmen, and international talent, creating a roster that might not only contend in the ACC but also hint at another deep March run.

Here’s a deeper dive into the 11 players expected to be central in Chapel Hill this season.

Seth Trimble – The Lone Returner

The heartbeat of this roster is Trimble, the only rotation player back from last year. At 6’3”, he often played out of position on the wing but still averaged 11.6 points and 5 rebounds. While questions linger about his shooting consistency, Trimble thrives in transition and isolation, where his explosiveness can overwhelm defenders. For UNC to steady itself, Trimble needs to channel his experience into becoming both a stabilizer and an energizer.

Zayden High – Searching for a Role

High returns to the court after missing last season due to suspension. At 6’10”, he has the physical tools to contribute, but UNC’s revamped frontcourt rotation makes minutes hard to find. With Caleb Wilson, Jarin Stevenson, and new 7-footer Henri Veesaar commanding most of the time up front, High may be limited to a depth role. Still, his re-emergence provides valuable insurance.

James Brown – The Hustle Big

Brown’s minutes were sparse last season, but his energy made him memorable. This year, with UNC needing a true backup center behind Veesaar, Brown could carve out more consistent playing time. He brings effort on the glass and toughness around the rim, though foul trouble remains a concern. If UNC can refine his discipline, Brown could be a sneaky X-factor in rotation stability.

Kyan Evans – The Floor General

Evans may be the single most important newcomer. The Colorado State transfer was one of the best shooters in the nation last year, hitting nearly 45% from deep on high volume. Beyond shooting, he’s a natural ballhandler who thrives in pick-and-roll situations and keeps defenses honest with his ability to finish at the rim. UNC hasn’t had a point guard this versatile since Coby White, and Evans’ presence could unlock Trimble’s full potential.

Henri Veesaar – The Defensive Anchor

When Arizona’s Veesaar chose UNC, scouts immediately flagged him as a future pro. At 7 feet tall, his shot-blocking instincts and defensive mobility make him an ideal anchor. While rebounding has been a knock, Veesaar has reportedly emphasized improving that under assistant coach Sean May. With Wilson next to him, the Heels’ frontcourt could be one of the nation’s elite.

Caleb Wilson – The Freshman Star

Every UNC fan will have their eyes on Wilson, a top-10 freshman who is expected to start at power forward from day one. His combination of size, agility, and skill makes him a matchup nightmare, and he has the polish to contribute immediately. Wilson has the potential to follow in the footsteps of past UNC one-and-done stars if he adapts quickly to ACC physicality.

Jarin Stevenson – The Versatile Wing

The Alabama transfer provides shooting and spacing from the wing, something UNC sorely needed last year. At 6’10”, Stevenson has the length to defend multiple positions while also being a threat from the perimeter. If Davis can blend him seamlessly with Wilson and Veesaar, UNC will boast one of the tallest and most flexible lineups in the country.

Other Key Additions

Davis also dipped into international recruiting, continuing a growing trend across college basketball. The mix of international prospects and grad transfers gives UNC depth it sorely lacked last season, preventing the kind of fatigue and lineup rigidity that doomed them in stretches.

The Big Picture

Hubert Davis’ mandate this season is simple: consistency. The wild swings of his first four years  from near glory to stunning disappointment must give way to steady excellence. With an overhauled roster blending star power, defensive length, and perimeter shooting, this year’s Tar Heels have the tools to rise back to the top of the ACC.

The question is whether this new group can mesh quickly enough to avoid early stumbles. For a fanbase that measures success by banners, anything short of deep March relevance won’t be enough.

But looking at this roster on paper? It feels like Davis may have struck the right balance at last.