What RJ Davis' return means for UNC basketball, Tar Heels in 2024-25 season

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UNC basketball guard RJ Davis will be back for a fifth season with the Tar Heels, Davis announced Wednesday morning on social media.

"I'm back," Davis said.

The ACC Player of the Year and a first-team All-American in his senior season for the Tar Heels, Davis averaged 21.2 points to lead the ACC in scoring and made 39.8% of his 3-pointers.

The first Tar Heel to win the Jerry West Award, presented annually by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to the top shooting guard in the country, Davis elaborated on his decision via YouTube and his latest Vlog.

"This is a hard decision, bro, because it's one that you want to make right, make sure it's right," Davis said in the video, which was posted early Wednesday morning.

He went on to say he knows "all the old jokes are coming." Davis will be 23 in October.

"Y'all can bring the old jokes on, but I got to get that out there because I don't really care what you got to say," Davis said. "It don't bother me."

Davis made a career-high seven 3s vs. Miami on Feb. 26, when he scored 42 points to set the all-time Smith Center record.

Davis is UNC's all-time leader in free throw percentage (.858), is second in 3-pointers (274) and fifth in scoring (2,088 points). Phil Ford is the only Tar Heel guard with more points.

With Davis back, the Tar Heels will likely be among the favorites to compete for the 2025 national championship.

What UNC's 2024-25 roster looks like with RJ Davis

The Tar Heels lost Seth Trimble to the transfer portal and then got him back a few weeks later. With the return of Trimble, RJ Davis, along with the arrival of freshman Ian Jackson and the expected return of sophomore Elliot Cadeau, UNC will have some of the best backcourt depth in the nation.

The Heels added Belmont transfer Cade Tyson, a lengthy wing who should be able to help replace Cormac Ryan, but they need more help in the post to help fill the voids left by Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram. Rutgers transfer Cliff Omoruyi and Kentucky transfer Adou Thiero are among the portal entries reportedly interested in joining UNC.

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached atrbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.