Predicting UNC Basketball’s 2025-26 Starting Lineup: A New Era in Chapel Hill

Predicting UNC Basketball’s 2025-26 Starting Lineup: A New Era in Chapel Hill

The lights will shine bright inside the Dean E. Smith Center on November 4, 2025, when North Carolina basketball tips off its season against Central Arkansas. But this isn’t just another opener in Chapel Hill  it’s the beginning of a new era. Gone is All-American guard RJ Davis, who carried the Tar Heels for much of the last two seasons. Gone too are five other contributors, lost to the ever-unforgiving transfer portal. What remains is a roster remade by Hubert Davis, who enters his fifth year on the sideline with a group that blends transfers, talented freshmen, and even international flavor.

For a program that had to fight its way into the NCAA Tournament’s First Four just last spring, the question is clear: can UNC climb back to the level of national prominence where Final Fours and No. 1 seeds are expected, not hoped for? The answer may rest in the hands of a new-look starting five that offers both hope and intrigue.

Here’s how the Tar Heels’ starting lineup could look when the ball tips in early November.

Point Guard: Kyan Evans (Junior, 6’2, transfer from Colorado State)

Replacing RJ Davis was never going to be easy. But Evans arrives from Colorado State with exactly the skill set UNC lacked a season ago  consistent perimeter shooting. While Elliot Cadeau dazzled in transition but struggled with turnovers, Evans is a steadier hand. He buried 44.6% of his three-pointers last year, ranking among the best in the nation, and hit multiple treys in 21 of 36 games.

The challenge for Evans? Becoming more of a playmaker in the halfcourt. His assist numbers were modest compared to Cadeau, and UNC’s offense will demand he balances creating for others while remaining the dangerous floor spacer the Tar Heels desperately need.

Shooting Guard: Seth Trimble (Senior, 6’3)

This is Seth Trimble’s team now. Entering his senior season, Trimble is the unquestioned leader in Chapel Hill. A physical guard who averaged 11.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals, Trimble has shown flashes of being a true two-way force.

But if UNC is to return to the top tier of the ACC, Trimble must take the leap from role player to star. His ability to attack the rim, get to the free-throw line (82% from the stripe), and defend elite perimeter scorers gives him the foundation. What lingers is the same question from last season  can he consistently hit shots from deep? His 26.6% mark from three-point range won’t cut it if UNC wants to space the floor around its talented big men.

Still, Trimble’s fire and leadership will set the tone for this team.

Small Forward: Luka Bogavac (Junior, 6’5, international signee from Montenegro)

The late-summer addition of Luka Bogavac might prove to be the X-factor for UNC. The Montenegrin guard arrives with professional experience in the Adriatic League, where he averaged 14.9 points on 40% three-point shooting.

Bogavac isn’t just a scorer  he’s a versatile wing capable of creating his own shot, setting up teammates, and battling on the glass. He does have a tendency toward turnovers, but the maturity gained overseas should give him a steadying presence on the wing.

With Drake Powell gone to the NBA, Bogavac steps into a critical role. If he adjusts quickly to the pace of ACC basketball, he could become UNC’s most dangerous weapon on the perimeter.

Power Forward: Caleb Wilson (Freshman, 6’10, 5⭐ recruit)

Every great Tar Heel team has a freshman who captures the national spotlight — and Caleb Wilson could be next. Ranked among the top 10 prospects in the 2025 class and a projected lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Wilson brings a level of athleticism and defensive versatility that UNC sorely lacked.

Rebounding, once a staple of Carolina basketball, was alarmingly absent last season. Wilson has the motor and length to change that instantly. His ability to guard multiple positions, crash the glass, and spark transition opportunities makes him the cornerstone of UNC’s frontcourt.

He’s raw in certain areas offensively, but his ceiling is as high as anyone on the roster. Fans should expect highlight-reel plays from Day 1.

Center: Henri Veesaar (Junior, 7’0, transfer from Arizona)

Hubert Davis didn’t just need size in the frontcourt he needed toughness. Henri Veesaar, a 7-footer from Arizona, checks both boxes. Averaging 9.4 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks last season, Veesaar proved he could be productive in limited minutes. At UNC, he’ll get the chance to anchor the paint.

What stands out is his offensive rebounding rate (12.3%), which ranked among the best in the Pac-12. UNC fans may find his style reminiscent of past Tar Heel big men who thrived on second-chance opportunities and rim protection.

Veesaar may not be a star, but his presence gives UNC the interior balance they lacked a year ago.

The Outlook

Hubert Davis has rolled the dice with roster reconstruction, blending transfers (Evans, Veesaar, Stevenson, Young, Powell), elite freshmen (Wilson, Dixon, Denis), and international flair (Bogavac). It’s a risky mix, but one that could breathe life into a program hungry for March success.

This starting five won’t carry the same star power as some of UNC’s past lineups, but it may prove to be one of the most balanced groups Davis has coached. The key will be chemistry: can Evans’ shooting, Trimble’s leadership, Bogavac’s versatility, Wilson’s upside, and Veesaar’s size come together quickly enough to avoid early stumbles?

For a fanbase that expects nothing less than a deep NCAA Tournament run, November’s opener won’t just be about beating Central Arkansas. It will be about setting the tone for a season where the Heels either rise back into national relevance or fade into the middle of the ACC pack.