Seth Trimble Headlines Deep, Versatile 2025-26 UNC Basketball Roster

Seth Trimble Headlines Deep, Versatile 2025-26 UNC Basketball Roster

The University of North Carolina men’s basketball program enters the 2025-26 season with optimism, experience, and a fresh mix of talent. Leading the way is senior guard Seth Trimble, the steady hand and emotional leader who headlines a roster built around a balance of veteran stability and exciting new arrivals.

Trimble, who has already logged 102 career appearances in Chapel Hill, represents everything head coach Hubert Davis wants his program to be. A dependable two-way guard, the Wisconsin native averaged 11.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and scored in double figures 24 times last season, including a standout 27-point performance in a win over Dayton. Beyond the box score, Trimble captured the Marvin Williams Carolina Way Award, a testament to his unselfishness, toughness, and commitment to team culture.

“I am very excited about this upcoming season and this year’s team, led by Seth Trimble,” Davis said. “In college basketball’s current state, Carolina has been fortunate to have multiple accomplished veteran players choose to stay at UNC. Players like Leaky Black, Armando Bacot, RJ Davis, and now Seth Trimble are difference makers for us.”

Davis, now entering his fifth season at the helm, made roster construction a priority this offseason. His message was clear: Carolina needed to get bigger, stronger, and more versatile to compete at the highest level. Judging by the depth and range of this year’s group, the Tar Heels delivered.

Returning Core

Alongside Trimble, UNC retains key contributors in Elijah Davis (a redshirt senior guard from Chapel Hill), sophomore forwards James Brown, Zayden High, and John Holbrook. While Trimble is the unquestioned leader, the returners provide chemistry, continuity, and a foundation for Davis’ system. High, in particular, is expected to make a leap after appearing in 23 games last season.

Impact Transfers

UNC made national headlines with its transfer haul. Six players with significant collegiate experience joined the program, each bringing unique skills:

• Kyan Evans (Colorado State): A sharpshooting guard who led the Mountain West in true shooting percentage and averaged 10.6 points per game, including 23 against Memphis in the NCAA Tournament.
• Ivan Matlekovic (High Point / Croatia): A 7-footer with international pedigree, bringing size and potential to the frontcourt.
• Jonathan Powell (West Virginia): A scoring wing who hit 64 threes last season and provides floor spacing.
• Jarin Stevenson (Alabama): A Chapel Hill native returning home after two strong seasons with the Crimson Tide, including a breakout performance in the 2024 Elite Eight against Clemson.
• Henri Veesaar (Arizona / Estonia): A versatile 7-footer who averaged 9.4 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting nearly 60% from the field. His Sweet 16 performance against Duke highlighted his ability to shine in big moments.
• Jaydon Young (Virginia Tech): A combo guard with shooting range and proven scoring ability, highlighted by a 27-point game against Miami.

International Star Power

One of the most intriguing additions is Luka Bogavac, who arrives from Montenegro after two standout seasons with SC Derby Podgorica in the Adriatic League. Averaging nearly 15 points per game overseas, Bogavac brings professional experience and toughness that could translate immediately to ACC play.

Freshman Foundation

Three incoming freshmen round out the roster, each with accolades that suggest they could carve out meaningful roles:

• Derek Dixon (Washington, D.C.): DC Gatorade Player of the Year, known for his poise and scoring ability.
• Isaiah Denis (Charlotte, N.C.): A dynamic guard who overcame injury in high school and remains one of the state’s top talents.
• Caleb Wilson (Atlanta, Ga.): Georgia’s Gatorade Player of the Year and a dominant forward who averaged 21.7 points and 11 rebounds, immediately positioning himself as one of UNC’s most exciting young prospects.

A Balanced Roster with Big Expectations

The final touch is junior guard Evan Smith, a walk-on promoted from UNC’s junior varsity team, whose presence underscores the program’s depth and commitment to development.

Put it all together, and UNC’s roster of 16 players is as well-rounded as any in the ACC. It blends veteran leadership (Trimble, Elijah Davis), proven transfer firepower (Evans, Stevenson, Veesaar), international toughness (Bogavac, Matlekovic), and the upside of future stars (Wilson, Dixon, Denis).

For Trimble, this season is about legacy. Following in the footsteps of Tar Heel greats who stayed all four years, he has a chance to cement his name as the bridge between eras carrying Carolina’s tradition into a new age of roster turnover and transfer movement.

As Davis put it, “We wanted to get bigger and more versatile to give us the ability to be better on both ends of the floor, and I believe we’ve done that.”

With Trimble at the helm, a deep supporting cast, and plenty of fresh firepower, the 2025-26 Tar Heels have the ingredients to chase ACC glory and make another deep NCAA Tournament run.