All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball: Practice Places RJ Davis in Almost-Perfect Territory

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis noted how RJ Davis is leading by example this season.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

If it seems like UNC basketball senior RJ Davis has been nearly perfect on the floor since late November — and only getting better — well, that's because he has been.

RELATED: UNC Senior 'Lost for Words' After Making Tar Heel History

On Friday night, Davis led the ninth-ranked Tar Heels in scoring for the eight straight time (each time with 20 points or more). He finished with 20 points, 10 before the first TV timeout, and added a season-high 10 assists and five steals without committing a turnover across his team-high 26 minutes of action.

His extremely high-level performances result from his high-level preparation, third-year UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis explained to the media on Friday night. He suggested the 22-year-old New York native is taking "leading by example" to another level:

"One of the things that I told the team was that the way that he is playing is the way that he prepares and the way that he practices.

"I'm not saying that he didn't prepare or practice in the past. I'm just saying that there's a reason, and I wanted to highlight that to our younger players in terms of what allows you to be successful out there on the floor. It's your preparation and your practice.

"RJ is a great example of that."

NEXT GAME: No. 9 UNC (9-3, 0-1 ACC) at unranked Pitt (9-3, 0-1 ACC), 7 p.m. ET Tuesday (ESPN)

STREAM: fuboTV (start your free trial)

UNC Recruiting: Five-Star Duke Target Attracts Tar Heels

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

Published
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.

Home/Basketball