UNC Basketball Tips Its Hand: Projected Starting Five Revealed for 2025–26

UNC Basketball Tips Its Hand: Projected Starting Five Revealed for 2025–26

 

The countdown to basketball season in Chapel Hill is officially on  and Tar Heel Nation just got its biggest clue yet as to what the starting lineup will look like when the curtain rises on November 3.

During a recent scrimmage at the Dean Smith Center, the UNC basketball program released video highlights that offered more than just flashy plays. To the trained eye, it was a glimpse of the unit head coach Hubert Davis appears ready to trust when the season tips off.

And just like that, the speculation turned into confirmation: the Tar Heels’ projected starting five is here.

The Starting Five — Who’s In White?

The video, shared across UNC’s official social channels, showed two squads battling on Roy Williams Court. The players wearing the white pinnies caught everyone’s attention because they were, in essence, the presumed starters.

That group featured:

• Kyan Evans – the freshman point guard tasked with orchestrating the offense.
• Seth Trimble – the veteran guard whose defense and toughness make him a glue guy.
• Luka Bogavac – the international wing with scoring versatility, pending NCAA clearance.
• Caleb Wilson – a blue-chip recruit with star potential written all over him.
• Henri Veesaar – the Estonian big man and Real Madrid product, providing size and skill in the paint.

This combination blends old and new, experience and upside. It’s a five that doesn’t surprise anyone who’s followed the roster developments over the offseason but seeing it on the floor together makes the vision of 2025–26 suddenly very real.

The Bogavac Question

The one caveat in all of this is Luka Bogavac’s eligibility. As of now, the NCAA has yet to officially grant clearance for the talented guard-forward. While UNC continues to operate as though it’s a matter of “when” and not “if,” the uncertainty does add an extra layer of drama to the lineup picture.

If Bogavac is sidelined for any period of time, Hubert Davis will have tough decisions to make, possibly sliding another newcomer or role player into the starting unit. But for now, Carolina is betting on its prized international recruit being ready when the lights come on in November.

Blending Youth and Experience

What stands out about this projected starting five is the balance.

• Evans and Wilson represent the future  elite recruits who will be asked to contribute immediately.
• Trimble is the steady hand, a player who has been through the battles and knows what ACC competition demands.
• Veesaar is the wild card, an international big with professional-level seasoning who brings a unique skill set rarely seen in college frontcourts.
• And Bogavac, if eligible, could become the X-factor a scorer who stretches defenses and keeps opponents honest.

It’s a group that’s untested together, yes, but it’s also one that checks nearly every box a contender needs.

The Road Ahead

With less than a month until tip-off, the Tar Heels are wasting no time in building chemistry among their starting five. Practices and scrimmages are designed to accelerate the process, making sure this unit enters the season with a rhythm already established.

UNC’s goals are never small. In Chapel Hill, seasons are judged not by November wins but by what happens in March and April. This lineup, while young, is brimming with potential that could blossom into something special by the time the NCAA Tournament rolls around.

The Takeaway

The scrimmage didn’t just show highlight plays — it tipped UNC’s hand. The Tar Heels are preparing to ride with Evans, Trimble, Bogavac, Wilson, and Veesaar as their new-look starting five.

For a fanbase eager to see what comes next after last year’s ups and downs, the message is clear: Hubert Davis has his plan, and the foundation is set.

Whether this group can grow quickly enough to meet the sky-high expectations of UNC Basketball remains the ultimate question. But one thing is certain  the new season, and a new era of Tar Heel hoops, is almost here.

Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 Draft Rookie Wonder, Sparks the Dallas Mavericks’ Fervour!

There are rookies who enter the NBA quietly, and then there are those who ignite it.
Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has done far more than just live up to the hype — he’s rekindled a sense of belief, excitement, and future promise for the Dallas Mavericks franchise.

From the moment he stepped onto the court in his preseason debut, the 18-year-old phenom has been a walking highlight reel wrapped in poise and maturity far beyond his years.

When the Mavericks secured the top pick in the draft, fans expected a foundational player. What they got instead feels like something even rarer — a revolutionary talent with the potential to redefine how the game is played.

Standing at 6’9” with elite athleticism, defensive instincts, and an uncanny feel for the game, Cooper Flagg brings the type of energy that changes a team’s DNA. He doesn’t just score or defend — he inspires.

In his first few outings, he’s already shown flashes of brilliance: quick rotations on defense, smooth shooting mechanics from beyond the arc, and a basketball IQ that meshes seamlessly with Dallas’s veteran core.

Head coach Jason Kidd summed it up best after the preseason opener:

“He was great. Cooper did an incredible job for us. You got to see the defensive side, the playmaking, and then the scoring ability. He was really, really good tonight.”

Those words carry weight — especially coming from a coach who’s worked with elite guards and playmakers for decades.

What sets Flagg apart isn’t just his stat line — it’s his presence. Even when he’s not scoring, he’s impacting every possession. He reads the floor like a veteran, anticipates plays, and communicates on defense like a seasoned leader.

During his preseason debut against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Flagg posted 10 points, 6 rebounds, and a block in just 14 minutes. Modest numbers at first glance — but his impact was undeniable. His confidence with the ball, his calm under pressure, and his ability to adapt instantly to the NBA pace left fans and analysts buzzing.

The Mavericks, who started the game with stars like Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and D’Angelo Russell, looked rejuvenated. It wasn’t just about the win — it was about the feeling. Dallas had found a new heartbeat.

One of the biggest questions heading into the draft was how Flagg would fit alongside Luka Dončić, the Mavericks’ franchise cornerstone. But early signs point to a promising partnership.

Flagg’s unselfish playstyle complements Luka’s brilliance perfectly. He doesn’t demand the ball to make an impact — instead, he thrives off movement, spacing, and quick decisions. His defensive versatility also takes pressure off Luka, allowing him to conserve energy for the offensive end.

Fans are already imagining what the duo could become:

• Luka orchestrating the offense with surgical precision.

• Flagg cutting, defending, and stretching the floor.

• The Mavericks blending experience and youth into something unstoppable.

For Dallas, this could be the beginning of a new era — one where championships are not just dreams but legitimate expectations.

Every No. 1 pick carries the weight of expectations. But Cooper Flagg’s composure has been remarkable. There’s no arrogance, no flash for the cameras — just quiet confidence and relentless work ethic.

He’s spoken openly about focusing on growth rather than headlines:

“I’m here to learn. Every day is a chance to get better. That’s my mindset — stay humble, stay hungry.”

That grounded attitude has quickly made him a locker-room favorite. Veteran players praise his maturity, and coaches marvel at his discipline. He’s the type of player every franchise dreams of — young, gifted, and willing to put in the work.

It’s been years since the city of Dallas has felt this kind of energy around a new player. The American Airlines Center has become a hub of anticipation. Jerseys with “FLAGG” on the back are flying off the shelves.

Mavericks fans, still cherishing the Luka era, now have something even more thrilling — the promise of continuity. The next decade of Dallas basketball suddenly feels secure, and every preseason game feels like a glimpse into the future.

Flagg’s highlights have already gone viral — step-back threes, chase-down blocks, and effortless defensive rotations that showcase his instincts. Social media has dubbed him “The Silent Storm” — a nickname that fits perfectly with his calm demeanor and devastating on-court impact.

While preseason performances are often taken with caution, the Mavericks’ excitement is justified. Cooper Flagg isn’t just showing flashes — he’s showing foundations.

As the regular season approaches, the question isn’t if he’ll succeed — but how quickly he’ll rise. The NBA landscape is evolving fast, and with players like Flagg, the future might be arriving sooner than anyone expected.

If his early games are any indication, Dallas fans aren’t just watching a rookie — they’re witnessing the birth of something special.

Cooper Flagg’s arrival has sparked more than just optimism — it’s reignited belief. The Dallas Mavericks, once seen as a team in transition, now stand at the edge of a new dynasty.

A generational talent, a city ready to believe again, and a team poised to climb — it all starts with one young man who plays with purpose and poise.

The rookie wonder has arrived, and he’s not just here to play.
He’s here to lead the next era of Mavericks basketball.