CHAPEL HILL – Will UNC basketball’s RJ Davis come back to play for the Tar Heels next season?

In the moments following UNC’s win against NC State on March 2, Davis was asked if he’s mapped out Tuesday’s game against Notre Dame in his mind. It could be Davis' final game at the Smith Center, but he hasn't thought about that possibility just yet.

“I’m trying to figure out what shoes I’m gonna wear. That’s the first thing that came to my mind,” Davis said with a laugh.

“I know it’s definitely gonna be emotional. I know it’s gonna be a lot of cheering and whatnot. Just walking that stage and holding my jersey up in the frame, I’m just kind of envisioning that now right how it’s gonna go.

"It’s definitely gonna be emotional, but I’m just super proud to just throw on this North Carolina jersey and finish out my senior year strong. Hopefully, it’s a good one.”

Another reporter asked if Davis would be sad Tuesday night at the Smith Center.

“I might shed a tear. … I almost cried when Garrison (Brooks) was here, and (Armando Bacot) last year,” he said. “Each year, they almost got me. Now, this is my time, my senior year, so I might actually cry. But who knows.”

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Davis has the option to return for a fifth season at UNC. He remains noncommittal about his future plans, but Davis is putting together an All-American season as the favorite to win ACC Player of the Year.

“We’re gonna celebrate him as a senior, and he should be celebrated. … I have not had any conversations with him, because it’s not a conversation that needs to be had right now," UNC head coach Hubert Davis said Monday during the ACC's weekly coaches teleconference.

"Right now, our focus is on us becoming the best team that we can possibly become. Then, after the season, we’ll have a discussion; it’s not really a discussion. I’m in favor of what each individual player wants to do. ... Whatever decision that they feel is best for them and their family, I am in 100% support of that.

"So, if RJ decided not to come back for an extra COVID year, I’m in 100% support of that. If he would come back, I am in 100% support of that. I’m glad that our players have choices. More importantly … I’m so excited for the season that RJ has had. That’s the thing that puts a smile on my face.”

Through 29 games, Davis is averaging an ACC-best 21.4 points per game. He’s the only Tar Heel in program history to reach 1,900 career points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists, 250 three-pointers and 100 steals.

But according to the latest 2024 NBA Draft projections, Davis isn’t expected to be a first-round pick. So what does teammate and fifth-year center Armando Bacot think Davis will do next season?

“I really don’t know, honestly,” Bacot said. “I haven’t talked to him much about that, but we’ll see.”

Even as the questions increase about his future, Davis remains focused on helping the Tar Heels (23-6, 15-3 ACC) finish the regular season with an ACC regular-season championship.

“Just to having that rollercoaster couple years, for my senior year to go the way it’s going with this special team, it would mean a lot – especially just to win the regular season,” Davis said.

“That hasn’t been done since 2019 … not only mean a lot to me, but mean a lot to this program. Hopefully, I don’t want to jinx it, hopefully we just get it done.”

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Will UNC basketball’s RJ Davis come back next season?