The North Carolina Tar Heels enter the 2025-26 season as a program in transition, a proud blue-blood wrestling with expectations and identity. Eight of the top nine scorers from last year are gone. Five transfers, a blue-chip freshman, and an international scoring machine headline a roster that looks less like a carryover and more like a rebuild.
For Hubert Davis, now in his sixth season as head coach, this is more than another campaign—it is a referendum. After early highs under his tenure, including a national championship game appearance in 2022 and an ACC regular-season title in 2024, inconsistency has marred expectations. A missed NCAA Tournament in 2023, an 11-seed finish in 2025, and a 23-14 overall record have raised the intensity of the spotlight.
Davis hasn’t shied away from that. Ahead of preseason workouts and media obligations, he was blunt about what needed to change:
“A couple of things, I thought we needed to be bigger in positional size. We needed more size. I think the number one determining factor of an outcome of the game is rebounding. … offensive rebounding was nowhere near where we needed to be.”
“He’s been great getting to know and also coaching him. … He can handle it, make plays with the ball in his hand, can shoot, score at many different levels, mid-range, get to the bucket. … Somebody who had a burning desire to be here … I’ve really enjoyed being around him.” (on Luka Bogavac)
“In order to be good, you got to defend and rebound and take care of the basketball. But, being in a position to be elite defensively on both ends of the floor.”
📺 Hubert Davis Preseason Insight
Before we dive into our full Unit 1 Hoop Source Scouting Report, it’s important to hear directly from the man at the center of it all — Head Coach Hubert Davis. In his preseason media session, Davis was clear about the foundation this team must build on: size, rebounding, and defensive toughness.
We’ve built our evaluation around those exact pillars. Watch the full press conference below and hear Davis in his own words ⬇️
👇
📊 Unit 1 Hoop Source Scouting Report
North Carolina Tar Heels – 2025-26 Season
Symbols: 🎯 = Offensive Strengths | ⚔️ = Defensive / Matchup Strengths | 🚀 = Upside | 🧱 = Size/Strength | 🧠 = IQ / Leadership | 🔁 = Versatility | ▲ = Growth Areas | ▼ = Concerns | ⭐ = Impact Potential | ⏳ = Timeline
🔑 Core Players / Projected Starters
Kyan Evans – G, Jr.
🎯 Elite shooter (44.6% 3PT, 85% FT).
🧠 High efficiency, smart shot selection.
⚔️ Undersized defensively, but quick hands.
▲ Must prove consistency in ACC grind.
⭐ Instant scoring punch.
Seth Trimble – G, Sr.
🧠 Veteran leader. “His leadership has been off the chart this summer … not only verbally, but also the way he has led on the court.” – Davis
⚔️ Tenacious on-ball defender.
🎯 Averaged 11.6 PPG, explosive in transition.
▲ Needs more reliable perimeter shot.
⭐ Sets tone for chemistry and toughness.
Luka Bogavac – G/F, Fr. (Montenegro)
🎯 Averaged 14.9 PPG overseas; polished scorer.
🔁 Can play SG or SF.
⚔️ Defensive quickness will be tested in ACC.
▲ Adjusting to speed & strength of U.S. game.
⭐ High-impact offensive weapon with FIBA pedigree.
Caleb Wilson – F, Fr. (Top-5 Recruit)
🚀 NBA-caliber athlete with length.
🎯 Mid-range game advanced beyond age.
🧠 Davis: “Everything … is about the team, and it’s about North Carolina. For someone highly ranked … never about him.”
▲ Needs physical strength to survive ACC schedule.
⭐ One-and-done potential if he adjusts quickly.
Henri Veesaar – F/C, Jr.
🧱 7’0 presence, fills frontcourt void.
🎯 Soft shooting touch, can stretch floor.
⚔️ Rim protector, rebounds in traffic.
▲ Foul trouble, physical strength vs ACC bigs.
⭐ Could be UNC’s defensive anchor.
🔁 Rotation & Depth
Jarin Stevenson – F, Jr.
🎯 Stretch-four, can step out and shoot.
⚔️ Brings size and versatility.
▲ Needs consistency on boards.
Ivan Matlekovic – C, So.
🧱 7’0 frame, raw rim protector.
⚔️ Strength around basket.
▲ Conditioning & mobility limit.
Jaydon Young – G/F, So.
🎯 Capable shooter, high motor.
🔁 Wing versatility.
▲ Decision-making under pressure.
James Brown – F, So.
🧱 Big-bodied rebounder.
⚔️ Physical defender.
▲ Limited offensive arsenal.
Zayden High – F, So.
🎯 Mid-range touch.
▲ Still raw, needs polish.
Derek Dixon – G, Fr.
🎯 Shooter with scoring instincts.
▲ Freshman learning curve.
Evan Smith – G, Jr.
⚔️ Defensive effort, depth guard.
John Holbrook – F, So.
🧱 Strong body, effort rebounder.
Isaiah Denis – G, Fr.
🎯 High school scorer, depth piece.
Elijah Davis – F, Sr.
🔁 Veteran presence, locker-room leadership.
🏆 Unit 1 Hoop Source Final Take
This season is make-or-break for Hubert Davis. He has rebuilt UNC around the exact pillars he emphasized: size, rebounding, defensive toughness. His words in the preseason press conference are not just coach-speak—they mirror the roster’s DNA.
If Evans spaces the floor, Trimble leads with toughness, Wilson delivers flashes of his 5⭐ ceiling, Veesaar becomes a steady rim protector, and Bogavac provides European scoring versatility, Carolina will be in the ACC mix.
If not—if defensive lapses return, if rebounding isn’t fixed, if chemistry sputters—criticism of Davis’ tenure will sharpen. The Heels are talented, but fragile. This year defines not only a roster, but a legacy.
📌 Editorial Disclaimer
Unit 1 Hoop Source scouting evaluations are based on firsthand observation, verified statistics, advanced analytics, and film review. We are committed to providing authentic, accurate, and original analysis for coaches, scouts, and basketball insiders.
© 2025 Kim Muhammad | Unit 1 Hoop Source. All Rights Reserved.
This article and all written content on this platform are protected under U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, United States Code).
No part of this material may be copied, reproduced, republished, distributed, or used without prior written consent from the author.
Contact: u1hoop@gmail.com
Unit 1 Hoop Source 