NBA Draft: RJ Davis admits North Carolina was not ‘dream school’, but UConn offer never came
Former North Carolina star RJ Davis admitted this month the Tar Heels were never his “dream” destination in college basketball and says he’s unsure if his productive career in Chapel Hill would’ve happened had an offer come from his native program. Davis is a former ACC Player of the Year with the Tar Heels and hopes to hear his named called in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft.
“I was a New York kid, so I grew up like watching Big East. Yeah, UConn was like my dream school growing up,” Davis said on the Run Your Race podcast. “I’m like, yo, like, Kemba Walker, Shabazz Napier, Ryan Boatwright. I’m like, yeah, bro. They literally breeded small guards. They all breeded small guards.”
When asked if he would’ve signed with then-Tar Heels coach Roy Williams and UNC if the Huskies would’ve offered, Davis didn’t have an answer.
“Depends. It depends. It depends,” he said.
Davis enjoyed a productive G-League camp showing this month during the pre-draft circuit, but was not invited to the combine. Per Inside Carolina, Davis finished his five-year career as the only player in UNC history to compile at least 2,500 points, 600 rebounds, 500 assists, 300 made 3-pointers and 150 steals. He became the Tar Heels’ all-time leader in 3-pointers (358) and free throw shooting (86.4 percent).
And with 2,725 career points, he trails only Carolina great Tyler Hansbrough and Duke sharpshooter JJ Redick — both of whom played four seasons in college — at the top of the ACC’s all-time scoring list.
Davis said he thought he did a commendable job of “making the most of my time, and just playing my game” during the G-League camp before the invite list surfaced ahead of the combine.
I’ve been a scorer my whole life, so just that scoring lift,” Davis said earlier this month when asked about his NBA skill set. “But at the same time, the little tangibles. Being a great teammate, being a great leader. Being a vocal guy and just a locker room guy. I think I can bring that to a team, and be an extension of the coach on the floor. And honestly, just being that spark.
“A lot of teams already have their star player, so just coming in, understanding my role, and just doing my job.”
