North Carolina Tar Heels Basketball: 2025-26 Season Preview

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill isn’t just home to a basketball team—it’s home to a legacy. The Tar Heels stand as one of the most storied programs in college basketball history, built on pride, excellence, and an enduring pursuit of greatness.

A Dynasty Defined by Championships

The numbers speak for themselves: six NCAA championships (1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, and 2017) and a Helms Foundation national title retroactively awarded for 1924. UNC remains the only program to reach the National Championship game in nine consecutive decades, a streak no other school can claim. With at least two Final Fours in six straight decades and an astonishing 20.7 wins per season, Carolina has set the gold standard for sustained excellence.

Their resume is peerless—134 NCAA Tournament wins, 31 Sweet Sixteens, 21 Final Fours, and 12 title-game appearances. The Tar Heels also own 18 ACC Tournament titles and 33 regular-season crowns. ESPN even named UNC the No. 1 most successful program of the last fifty years.

From Michael Jordan to James Worthy, Vince Carter to Bob McAdoo, the Tar Heel lineage of greatness continues to shape the sport itself. Many alumni have gone on to become head coaches, leaders, and innovators across the basketball world.

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Hubert Davis and a New Era of Excellence

Now entering his fifth season as head coach (and his 14th on the UNC staff), Hubert Davis has seamlessly carried the torch of Carolina tradition. The only Tar Heel coach to win 20+ games in each of his first four seasons, Davis has already amassed 101 victories and guided the program to a Final Four, an ACC regular-season championship, and a No. 1 NCAA seed.

Under his leadership, UNC has gone 8-3 in NCAA Tournament play, with signature wins over championship coaches Scott Drew, Mike Krzyzewski, and Tom Izzo. Carolina has recorded 14 victories over ranked opponents, including eight against top-ten teams such as Duke, Baylor, Virginia, and Tennessee. Their strength of schedule consistently ranks among the nation’s toughest—yet they remain a fixture in the national elite.

Player Achievements Under Coach Davis

RJ Davis and Armando Bacot now stand second and third on the all-time Carolina scoring list, rewriting record books with each passing season. RJ captured his third straight Dean Smith Award, while freshman phenom Drake Powell became UNC’s 55th first-round NBA Draft pick.

The Tar Heels’ 2025 ACC Tournament victory marked the program’s 100th win under Davis—making him just the third-fastest UNC coach, and sixth-fastest in ACC history, to reach that milestone.

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Spotlight on Key Tar Heels

Seth Trimble – The Heartbeat of Carolina

Senior guard Seth Trimble (6-3, 200) from Wisconsin embodies effort and perseverance. Over 102 games, he’s averaged 6.2 points and 2.6 rebounds, but his impact stretches far beyond stats. His junior season saw a breakout to 11.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and .818 FT shooting, capped by a career-high 27 points vs. Dayton. Recipient of the Marvin Williams Carolina Way Award, Trimble personifies selflessness and grit.

Elijah Davis – A Coach’s Son, A Tar Heel Leader

Elijah Davis (6-3, 205), the son of head coach Hubert Davis, joined the Heels after a strong run at Lynchburg where he hit 51 threes and averaged 4.7 points. A Chapel Hill native majoring in sport administration, Elijah continues his family’s Carolina legacy with dedication both on and off the court.

Luka Bogavac – The Montenegrin Marksman

A 6-6 sharpshooter from Montenegro, Luka Bogavac arrives after lighting up the AdmiralBet ABA League for SC Derby Podgorica. His 2024-25 campaign featured 14.9 points, 61 threes, and multiple 20-point outbursts, showcasing elite efficiency and range. The son of former pro Nebojša Bogavac, Luka’s international experience brings maturity and scoring punch to Chapel Hill.

Evan Smith – Scholar, Athlete, Leader

Evan Smith (6-1, 195), a junior from Charlotte and former Student-Athlete of the Year at Ardrey Kell High, balances excellence in the classroom and on the hardwood. A proud product of Team United AAU, his leadership and discipline embody the Tar Heel standard.

Jarin Stevenson – The Hometown Star Returns

Former Alabama standout Jarin Stevenson (6-10, 215) returns home to Chapel Hill after two strong SEC seasons. He posted 395 points, 63 threes, and nine NCAA Tournament appearances, including a 22-point masterpiece at Texas. Academically honored and athletically gifted, Stevenson is poised to be a cornerstone of Carolina’s frontcourt.

Henri Veesaar – The Estonian Tower

A 7-footer from Tallinn, Henri Veesaar joined UNC after excelling at Arizona. With 416 points, 228 rebounds, and 54 blocks over 66 games, he brings interior defense and European polish. His 2024-25 averages—9.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 59.6% FG—make him one of the most efficient big men in college basketball.

Jaydon Young – Instant Offense

At 6-4, Jaydon Young transfers from Virginia Tech after averaging 8.1 points and drilling 57 threes in 58 games. Known for clutch shooting—27 points vs. Miami, 26 vs. Syracuse—he adds proven scoring depth to Carolina’s backcourt.

Kyan Evans – The Sharpshooter from the Rockies

Former Colorado State standout Kyan Evans (6-2) brings a lethal 44.6% three-point stroke and big-game pedigree. His 23-point NCAA Tournament explosion vs. Memphis and late-season hot streak (60% from deep) underline his clutch gene and leadership qualities.

Ivan Matlekovic – The Croatian Prospect

At 7-0, 255, Ivan Matlekovic provides international size and promise. After winning a Big South title with High Point, he joins UNC with professional experience from Croatia’s HAKK Mladost Zagreb and Cedevita Olimpia Ljubljana U18, bringing toughness and rim protection.

John Holbrook – The Complete Student-Athlete

John Holbrook (6-8, 230) from Hickory, N.C., is a model Tar Heel: conference POY, 31-1 high-school record, honors student, musician, and multi-sport athlete. Now majoring in business, Holbrook’s leadership and versatility strengthen Carolina’s depth.

Jonathan Powell – The Ohio Marksman

A 6-6 wing from Centerville, Ohio, Jonathan Powell starred for West Virginia, averaging 8.3 points and 3.1 rebounds while leading the Big 12 in ball security. His smooth perimeter game and consistency make him a key addition.

James Brown – The Illinois Big Man

Sophomore forward James Brown (6-10, 240) made immediate contributions last year, shooting 71.4% FG in 18 games. A former Link Academy standout, his length and energy provide a formidable interior presence.

Zayden High – Texas Tenacity

Zayden High (6-10, 230) continues to build on a stellar prep résumé that included MVP honors at the Hoop Hall Classic. His rebounding and defense, honed at AZ Compass Prep, make him a rising force in Carolina’s frontcourt rotation.

Caleb Wilson – The Next Great Tar Heel Freshman

A McDonald’s All-American and 2025 Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year, Caleb Wilson (6-10, 215) headlines the new class. With 1,836 career high-school points, a state title, and a 3.8 GPA, Wilson’s blend of skill and intellect mirrors Carolina tradition at its finest.

Isaiah Denis – Charlotte’s Sharpshooter

Freshman Isaiah Denis (6-4) led Davidson Day to a state title while averaging 16.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists despite injury setbacks. His resilience and shooting touch make him one to watch.

Derek Dixon – The Capital Star

Washington, D.C.’s Derek Dixon (6-5, 200) joins as the 2025 Gatorade DC Player of the Year. A state champion at Gonzaga College High, Dixon amassed 1,557 career points and 80 threes his senior season. His commitment to UNC on his eighteenth birthday was the perfect Tar Heel moment.

The Carolina Standard

From the banners in the Smith Center rafters to the countless lives shaped by its culture, North Carolina basketball remains the definition of sustained greatness. Behind Coach Hubert Davis and an elite roster rich in talent, leadership, and heart, the 2025-26 Tar Heels are poised to write the next great chapter in a story that began more than a century ago.

Go Heels!