Hubert Davis on UNC Basketball Rookie Big Man: 'He Just Listens'

UNC basketball newcomer Zayden High's impact hasn't surprised Hubert Davis.

Matt Giles | Oct 28, 2023

Photo credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

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North Carolina Tar Heels

When Zayden High arrived in Chapel Hill this summer at No. 70 overall on the 247Sports 2023 Composite, many fans assumed he would require a year or two to develop into a reliable contributor for the Tar Heels. The 19-year-old UNC basketball freshman has thus far exceeded those expectations, at least in the team's tune-up outings.

After showcasing his ability to impact the game as a long-limbed, high-energy weapon on both ends of the floor in the Blue-White intra-squad scrimmage at Live Action two weeks ago, the 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward impressed again on Friday night in the Dean E. Smith Center.

He finished with 10 points (4-for-6 from the field, 2-for-2 at the line), 11 rebounds (four on offense), one assist, and three blocks across his 20 minutes off the bench in UNC's 117-53 blowout exhibition win over St. Augustine's.

As one can see in the clips below, his defensive efforts helped fuel the Tar Heels' oh-so-entertaining transition attack:

Zayden High blocks = fast break points pic.twitter.com/78LTAiJD0v
— Tar Heel Tapes (@TarHeelTapes) October 28, 2023

That production level from the Texas native (he spent his senior year of high school at Compass Prep in Arizona) didn't shock third-year UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis.

"I knew he was a big-time player," Davis told the media about Zayden High afterward, "and he's even better than that [since he got here]. Defensively, he's extremely versatile. He can guard guards out on the perimeter. He doesn't shy away from contact. He actually thrives in contact. He's tough. He can run the floor. He didn't even shoot a three. He can really shoot from three.

"He just listens and just does the things that he's been told and taught in practice and translates it to the game. And I'm really proud of him."

Now, some might say it'd be surprising if High doesn't carve out a spot in the regular rotation from the get-go.

The Tar Heels begin their regular season on Nov. 6 in a home game against Radford.

Highlights From Tar Heels' Blowout Exhibition Win

Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC basketball news.

Published Oct 28, 2023

MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.