UNC star named to Naismith Preseason Player of the Year Watch List

UNC basketball guard RJ Davis earns a spot on a prestigious watch list.

North Carolina guard RJ Davis is in his final season with the program, opting to return for a fifth year. Davis is fresh off a big senior season as he won the ACC Player of the Year award.

He was also an AP All-American and a top contender for the Naismith Player of the Year award. Now, going into this season, Davis is earning some more preseason recognition.

On Wednesday, Davis was one of five ACC players to be named to the Naismith Preseason Player of the Year Watch List. The guard joins Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, Notre Dame’s Markus Burton and Wake Forest’s Hunter Sallis from the ACC to be named to the list.

Davis is coming off a big season,  averaging 21.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game last season, developing into one of the best players in the country.

Going into this season, Davis is North Carolina’s leader on a team that lost some talent from a Sweet 16 run a year ago. They do return Davis as well as his backcourt mates Seth Trimble and Elliot Cadeau but it will be Davis that leads the way for them.

The winner of the prestigious award will be announced the week of the 2025 Final Four.

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