4 UNC Players Who Won't Be Back Next Season

The UNC Tar Heels suffered a terribly disappointing Sweet 16 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide, falling 89-87 as RJ Davis endured his worst game of the season and the defense struggled.

For a roster as experienced as UNC's, this is nothing short of a disaster. The Tar Heels had a clear path to the Final Four, loaded with talented seniors ready to leave their mark on the program. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be.

UNC's team will look different next year, as freshman Elliot Cadeau is the only starter guaranteed to be back. As the Tar Heels turn the page on what'll ultimately be remembered as a failed season, let's examine four players who won't be back in 2024-25.

4 UNC Players Who Won't Be Back

1. RJ Davis

What a bitter end for one of the greatest players to ever don the Tar Heels uniform.

Davis had 16 points though shot just 4-of-20 from the field and 0-of-9 from beyond the arc. In a cruel twist of fate, the two-point loss can mostly be attributed to Davis' inability to score against a poor defense. As the game went on, the reigning ACC Player of the Year started forcing shots from three-point range, further contributing to the disaster.

Davis' teammates were quick to defend him, rightfully so. He led this team to the Sweet 16 and had one of the best seasons of any player in the country. That's what makes the loss sting so much: Davis had one of the worst games of his career at the worst possible time.

Overall, the three-year starter likely ends his career with 2,088 points, 533 rebounds, 433 assists and 140 steals. Tar Heels fans will appreciate his contributions with time, but it's hard to imagine a worse ending to such a storied career.

He does still have a year of eligibility remaining, so it's possible that Davis returns given the unfinished business. However, next year looks like a rebuilding one for UNC and I'd bet he takes his talents to the pros.

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