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UNC Basketball Gem Lands on Another POTY Watchlist

Fifth-year UNC basketball guard RJ Davis is one of 20 preseason candidates to win NABC Player of the Year.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball guard RJ Davis
UNC basketball guard RJ Davis / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
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UNC basketball graduate backcourt sensation RJ Davis, the defending ACC Player of the Year, is on the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division I Player of the Year preseason watchlist announced this week.

ALSO READ: UNC Product Coby White Reaches Big Career Milestone

Davis, also the preseason pick to repeat as ACC Player of the Year, is one of only three from the conference on the 20-deep NABC POTY list, along with Wake Forest senior guard Hunter Sallis and Duke freshman guard/forward Cooper Flagg.

Of course, RJ Davis' appearance among the contenders is no surprise. After all, the 23-year-old New York native, who led the 2023-24 Tar Heels with his career-high 21.2 points per game while breaking the UNC Basketball season record with his 113 made threes, has already popped up on the Preseason Associated Press All-America First Team, the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award watchlist, and the Naismith National National Player of the Year Trophy watchlist.

Since its inception in 1975, the NABC Player of the Year hardware has gone to four Tar Heels: Phil Ford in 1978, Michael Jordan in 1984, Antawn Jamison in 1998, and Tyler Hansbrough in 2008.

RJ Davis and the fourth UNC basketball team of the Hubert Davis era tip off their 2024-25 regular season when they host the Elon Phoenix in the Dean E. Smith Center at 9 p.m. ET Monday (ACC Network).

ALSO READ: Two UNC Freshmen Competing for Same National Honor

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball news.

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Matt Giles
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.

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