R. J. Davis

Recruiting

Considered a four-star recruit, Davis was ranked 197th by 247Sports in early 2019, but rose in most recruiting services' and was ranked No. 43 in the Class of 2020 according to ESPN.^[4] Davis committed to playing college basketball for North Carolina in October 2019, choosing the Tar Heels over Georgetown, Marquette and Pittsburgh.^[6]

More information Name, Hometown ...

College recruiting

Name	Hometown	School	Height	Weight	Commit date
R. J. Davis PG	White Plains, NY	Archbishop Stepinac (NY)	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	165 lb (75 kg)	Oct 21, 2019
	Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (87)
Overall recruit ranking:    Rivals: 52    247Sports: 60    ESPN: 43
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "North Carolina 2020 Basketball Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved May 23, 2020. "2020 North Carolina Tar Heels Recruiting Class". ESPN. Retrieved May 23, 2020. "2020 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved May 23, 2020.

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Freshman

As a freshman, Davis averaged 8.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 35.0 percent from the floor.^[7] He was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Team.^[8] He made ten starts in 29 appearances in his freshman year.

Sophomore

A starter all season, Davis was a member of the "Iron Five" starting lineup that led North Carolina on an improbable run to the 2022 National Championship game alongside Armando Bacot, Brady Manek, Caleb Love, and Leaky Black. On November 13, 2021, he scored a then-career-high 26 points in a 94–87 win against Brown.^[9] Davis broke his career high in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, scoring 30 points in the Tar Heels' 93–86 upset victory against Baylor. He became the first Tar Heel to score 30 points and post 5 rebounds and 5 assists in an NCAA tournament game.^[10]

Junior

After the Tar Heels' run to the national championship game in the season prior, RJ Davis, Leaky Black, Armando Bacot, and Caleb Love all decided to return to Chapel Hill.

Despite the team's preseason No.1 ranking, the Tar Heels struggled all season, missing the NCAA tournament and going 20–13 overall. Davis started all but one game in the 2022–23 season, and his lone appearance off the bench came on UNC's Senior Day, where it is tradition for all seniors being honored to start the game. He improved off of many of his statistics from the previous season, averaging 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.

Senior

Davis announced that he was returning to Carolina for his senior season on March 24, 2023.^[11] On January 22, Davis scored a then career-high 36 points in a game against Wake Forest.^[12] On February 26, Davis recorded a new career high with 42 points in a win against Miami.^[13] Davis' 42 points were the most ever scored at the Dean Smith Center, and the most scored by a North Carolina player since Shammond Williams scored 42 in 1998.^[14] Davis was named a member of the 2024 First-team All-ACC team and the ACC Player of the Year.^[15] He was also named a member of the first-team AP All-American team^[16] and became the first North Carolina player to win the Jerry West Award.^[17]

Fifth Year

On May 1, 2024, Davis announced he was returning to Carolina for his fifth year of eligibility granted because of the shortened 2020–21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[18]

In February 2025, Davis was named one of 10 players as a candidate for the 2025 Jerry West Award. He won the Jerry West Award.^[19]

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