RJ reflects on his uncertain recruitment by UNC.
RJ Davis’ path to North Carolina almost never happened, a reality that even he finds hard to believe in hindsight. Despite finishing his college career as one of the most decorated Tar Heels in recent memory, the 6-footer admits there was a moment when he genuinely doubted UNC’s interest in him.
“I was talking to my mom about this…Just like ACC tournament, ACC player of the year and like first team All-American, whatever. But I remember it was, um, it was Peach Jam. We was playing Expressions Elite. And Coach, Coach Williams and, uh, Coach Davis were like, kind of like, I want to say like the second row, right behind like the basket,” Davis recalled.
Breakout moment in his recruitment
Leading up to Peach Jam, Davis had only limited contact with the UNC coaching staff, with Hubert Davis doing most of the recruiting.
“I’m talking to my mom. I’m like, this is like lean up to Peach Jam. They’re like in contact a little bit. Like Coach Davis was recruiting me at the time. I’m like, I don’t think they’re going to like give me the offer. I was like, I don’t think they really f*** with me for real. I told her, I was like, to be honest with y’all, I’m like, mom, I don’t think I’m going to get this offer,” Davis admitted.
His mother, ever the optimist, encouraged him to make the most of his opportunity.
“It’s like still early. Like just, you have a good chance of Peach Jam and really showing out.”
Davis did that, dropping 35 points for NY Renaissance against Expressions Elite with Roy Williams and Hubert Davis watching from just behind the basket. That performance changed everything.
“And then I had like team camp, and that’s when Coach Davis, I came down to team camp and, uh, like that summer right after Peach Jam, Coach Williams calls me and like, he gives me the offer. You know, my first name, I go mom. Yeah. I just got the O. I just secured that bag,” Davis said, describing the relief and excitement he felt when the call finally came.
