Hubert Davis didn't just tweak things. He basically blew the whole house down and started over. If you’re looking at the North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball roster for the 2025-26 season, you’ve probably noticed it looks almost nothing like the team that finished 2024. No R.J. Davis. No Elliot Cadeau. No Ian Jackson. Honestly, for a program that prides itself on "family" and continuity, this was a massive, jarring shift that felt more like an NBA expansion team than a traditional blue blood.
The departures were total. Every single starter from the end of the previous season left. Whether it was graduation, the NBA Draft, or the transfer portal, the exodus left Chapel Hill feeling a bit empty for a minute there. But the coaching staff, led by Davis and GM Jim Tanner, went to work. They didn't just fill seats; they went global.
The New Look North Carolina Tar Heels Men's Basketball Roster
The core of this team is a weird, fascinating mix of high-upside freshmen and international pros. You’ve got Caleb Wilson, a 6-foot-10 five-star freshman from Atlanta who is basically the crown jewel of the class. He’s currently averaging about 19.5 points and 11 rebounds a game. That’s insane for a kid who was playing high school ball at Holy Innocents just a year ago. He’s long, he’s bouncy, and he’s currently the heart of the Heels' transition game.
Then there’s the international flavor. Luka Bogavac came over from Montenegro, and Henri Veesaar transferred in from Arizona. These aren't your typical "project" bigs. Veesaar is a 7-footer from Estonia who can actually shoot the three—he's hitting over 50% from deep right now, which is just silly for a guy his size. Bogavac, who is 22 and played pro ball in the Adriatic League, brings a level of "old man strength" and craftiness that you usually don't see in college sophomores or juniors.
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The Returners and the Portal Wins
Seth Trimble is the survivor. He’s the senior leader now, the only real rotation piece that stuck around through the storm. He’s playing about 32 minutes a night, acting as the defensive stopper and the primary engine. Most people expected him to be the starting point guard, but the emergence of Kyan Evans, the transfer from Colorado State, has changed the dynamic. Evans is a smaller, 6-foot-2 guard, but he’s a sniper. He shot 44% from three last year in the Mountain West and has brought that shooting gravity to the ACC.
Let’s look at the scholarship breakdown as it stands:
- Seniors: Seth Trimble (G), Elijah Davis (G/F)
- Juniors: Kyan Evans (G), Jarin Stevenson (F), Henri Veesaar (F/C), Luka Bogavac (G), Evan Smith (G), Jaydon Young (G)
- Sophomores: James Brown (C), Zayden High (F), Jonathan Powell (G/F), Ivan Matlekovic (C), John Holbrook (F)
- Freshmen: Caleb Wilson (F), Derek Dixon (G), Isaiah Denis (G)
It's a lot of height. Between Veesaar (7'0"), Matlekovic (7'0"), and Wilson (6'10"), the Tar Heels finally have the "size and toughness" that critics said they lacked during the 2024-25 campaign. But it hasn't been all sunshine.
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The Reality of the 2026 Season
The recent loss to Stanford was a gut punch. Losing 95-90 to the Cardinal while they shoot 16-for-28 from three? That’s tough to swallow. Caleb Wilson was vocal after that game, basically saying Stanford ran the same play over and over because the Heels couldn't figure out the defensive switches. It’s that kind of raw honesty that shows this team is still learning how to play together. They’ve had big wins—beating No. 19 Kansas and winning at No. 18 Kentucky—but the consistency just isn't there yet.
Hubert Davis is in his fifth year, and the pressure is real. Some fans are already getting restless, especially after the Stanford game where Davis was a bit short with the media. But if you look at the talent on this North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball roster, the ceiling is undeniably high. You’ve got a projected lottery pick in Wilson and a floor-spacing center in Veesaar.
Why the Frontcourt Matters
The "big man" rotation is where this team wins or loses. Jarin Stevenson, the Chapel Hill native who came back via Alabama, is still trying to find his "dawg" mentality. He’s got the frame, but experts like those at 247 Sports have questioned if he's physical enough to bang with the ACC's elite. On the other hand, Zayden High has been the "goon" the team needs—someone who isn't afraid to throw a body around and grab the "ugly" rebounds.
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James Brown, the 6-foot-10 sophomore, has also shown flashes of a massive leap. He’s put on muscle and is becoming a reliable bench option when Veesaar needs a breather. It’s a different vibe than the Armando Bacot years. It’s less "feed the post" and more "run, spacing, and transition."
What to Watch Moving Forward
If you're following this team, keep an eye on the guard rotation. Derek Dixon, the freshman from D.C., is a knockdown shooter who is earning more minutes every week. He was the Gatorade Player of the Year in D.C. for a reason. If he can provide consistent scoring off the bench, it takes a massive load off Trimble and Evans.
Also, the Bogavac situation is something to monitor. He’s been cleared, but he missed some preseason time due to transcript issues. Now that he's in the flow, his secondary playmaking—basically acting as a point-forward—is what makes the offense click when teams try to double-team Wilson.
Actionable Insights for Tar Heel Fans:
- Watch the Defensive Switches: Until the Heels figure out their communication on high ball screens, they’re going to be vulnerable to high-volume three-point teams.
- Monitor the Glass: Caleb Wilson is a monster on the boards, but if Veesaar or Stevenson don't help him out, UNC will get out-rebounded by more physical, veteran squads.
- Check the 2026 Recruiting Class: With Maximo Adams already committed, the coaching staff is already looking to fill the holes that the 2026 graduations will leave behind.
- Attend a Home Game: The energy at the Smith Center for this "new look" team is different—faster, more athletic, and definitely more unpredictable.
The 2025-26 season is a high-stakes gamble for Hubert Davis. He traded experience for raw talent and modern spacing. Whether that translates to a deep March run or another frustrating "what-if" season remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this roster is never boring.