Jae'Lyn Withers player profile for 2024-2025 UNC basketball season
Tar Heel fans might not have the greatest recent memory of Jae'Lyn Withers, who took an infamous, ill-advised 3-point attempt against Alabama in this spring's Sweet 16 matchup.
With UNC leading the Crimson Tide by one with 1:02 left, RJ Davis kicked the ball out to Withers. Instead of holding the basketball to wind down the clock more, Withers, a 20% 3-point shooter, launched a shot that clanked off the rim and landed in the hands of Alabama guard Rylan Griffin. The Crimson Tide would take the lead shortly after and end the Tar Heels' season.
That's all last season, though. Withers returns for one final year of college basketball and, with North Carolina's younger roster, should see more playing time.
If you remember the 2023 offseason, Withers transferred into Chapel Hill from Louisville. Harrison Ingram beat Withers out for the starting power forward, but Withers was one of the first Tar Heels off the bench. Withers is 6'9" and more of a traditional four, though he can step out and hit a jumper when needed. Withers' speciality is rebounding, as he recorded a pair of double-doubles during UNC's 2023-2024 campaign.
Withers will likely begin North Carolina's coming season with the same role: reserve power forward. I'd be willing to bet Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis rolls with Cade Tyson at the starting four, but if Hubert elects for a taller lineup, Tyson starts at small forward and Withers slots in at power forward.
As we prepare to kick off the coming season, let's take a deeper dive into what you can expect from Withers this year.
Jae'Lyn Withers Bio
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 220 lbs.
Number: 24
Position: Forward
Year: Graduate Student
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
High School: North Mecklenburg (NC) High School
2023-2024 season in review
Withers came from Louisville, where he was a majority starter on an extremely bad team, to UNC, where he was one of the Tar Heels' best big men off the bench.
In his first season at North Carolina, Withers averaged 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Withers did shoot 53.5 from the field, which was arguably his greatest contribution. Withers enjoyed two double-doubles, with his second coming in UNC's first-round NCAA Tournament win over Wagner.
2024-2025 role projection
As I alluded to earlier, if Hubert rolls with the rotation I think he's going to, Withers will be the Tar Heels' number two power forward. Withers is also one of North Carolina's taller players this season, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him slotted in at the five.
I can't imagine Withers starts a bunch this year, but that's the mystery with this UNC team: there's a lot of unknowns.
Bold prediction
My bold prediction for Withers is that he'll be the Tar Heels' leading rebounder off the bench. I think Ven-Allen Lubin and Jalen Washington will lead UNC in rebounding, but Withers will be right behind them.
I also am willing to bet that Withers improves his perimeter shooting percentage. Again, Withers isn't the guy you want launching a 3-pointer, but I'm sure he feels bad about missing that shot last year in the Big Dance.
Withers records first double-digit scoring game as a Tar Heel
UNC's fourth-consecutive win to start its 2023-2024 campaign, a 91-69 victory over Northern Iowa, was a big one for Withers. He scored 11 points on 4-5 shooting and a 2-of-2 mark from the free throw line, while adding four rebounds, two assists and a block.
Withers notches double-double against old team
What better way to beat your old team that absolutely dominating it? That's exactly what Withers did on January 17 inside the Smith Center, as he recorded a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double in UNC's 86-70 win against Louisville.
Withers plays major role in North Carolina's first-round NCAA Tournament win
What better place to set season bests with your new team than the NCAA Tournament, also known as the biggest stage of college basketball?
That's exactly what Withers did on March 21 in UNC's 90-62 thumping of Wagner in the NCAA Tournament, scoring his person UNC-best 16 points in a season-high 22 minutes.
To make matters better for himself, Withers pulled down 10 rebounds to record his second double-double of the year.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : Jae'Lyn Withers player profile for 2024-2025 UNC basketball season
