All Tar Heels

RJ Davis Makes UNC Basketball History in Multiple Ways

UNC basketball guard RJ Davis is the program's first Jerry West Award recipient.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball guard RJ Davis
UNC basketball guard RJ Davis / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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On Saturday, four-year UNC basketball treasure RJ Davis added to his trophy collection by winning the Jerry West Award, an annual honor to the nation's premier shooting guard. The ACC Player of the Year, also a consensus first-team All-American, became the first Tar Heel to receive the award since its inception in 2015.

Davis, who averaged 21.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for a UNC basketball squad that won the ACC regular season outright and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Alabama in the Sweet 16, is only the second ACC player to take home the West hardware. The first was Duke's RJ Barrett in 2019.

As Great Day Tar Heel noted on social media, Davis finished his senior campaign with 113 made threes, the most in program history. He also posted the highest scoring outing in Dean E. Smith Center history via his 42 points in a late-February home win over Miami. And his career 85.8 free throw percentage tops the list among all-time Tar Heels.

Furthermore, the New York native's 784 points for the 2023-24 Tar Heels now stand as the most in any season by a UNC guard.

RJ Davis has yet to announce his plan for next season, as he has the option to play one more year in college due to the NCAA not counting the truncated 2020-21 season (his freshman campaign) against anyone's eligibility.

Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com 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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