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Early projections for UNC basketball starting lineup in 2025-26 season
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- Early projections for UNC basketball starting lineup in 2025-26 season
The 2025-26 college basketball season is still a few months away, but it will be here before we know it. Facing an important offseason, Hubert Davis and his staff had to find a way to improve his roster after significant losses.
Drake Powell was a first-round pick, and Ian Jackson and Elliot Cadeau opted to transfer. RJ Davis and Jae'Lyn Withers are out of eligibilty, so there was a great deal of production on the way out from last season. Although last year was a tough one for the Tar Heels, losing to Ole Miss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, that's in the past.
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The focus is on the future as Davis and the staff welcome a three-man recruiting class ranked in the top 10 as well as some big-time transfers.
Let's take an early look at our projected starting lineup for UNC for the 2025-26 season.
PG: Kyan Evans
Mar 23, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Colorado State Rams guard Kyan Evans (0) reacts against the Maryland Terrapins in the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
A transfer from Colorado State, Kyan Evans is in line to be the starting point guard for North Carolina. After losing Elliot Cadeau to the transfer portal, the Tar Heels have to fill a big need. The hope is Evans can fill that need and help run Davis' offense right away.
Guard: Seth Trimble
The lone returnee from last season's starting lineup, Seth Trimble is the veteran on this team. He's entering his fourth season with the program and passed up another chance to transfer. Trimble improved his game last season playing alongside RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau in the backcourt.
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This year, Trimble should have more freedom, and we could see a bigger season for the guard.
Guard: Luka Bogavac
The Tar Heels added a much-needed piece to the backcourt with Luka Bogavac. Adding a talented international prospect, such as Bogavac, was important for the Tar Heels, especially with the influx of international talent making an impact at the college level.
Last year, Bogavac averaged 14.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.
Forward: Caleb Wilson
The prize of UNC's 2025 recruiting class, five-star forward Caleb Wilson should make an instant impact for the Tar Heels. With UNC struggling to find that with last year's freshman class, getting Wilson off to a hot start will be a key especially when he's projected to be a starter.
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Not only is Wilson a force on the defensive end, his offensive game is polished and should be a big positive for the Tar Heels.
Center: Henri Veesaar
Jan 14, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Henri Veesaar (13) celebrates after he made a three point shot during the first half against the Baylor Bears at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
A big area the Tar Heels struggled with last season was at center. They never found a solution until late in the year with Ven-Allen Lubin's emergence. But he's off to NC State and Jalen Washington transferred out as well, leaving another hole to fill for the program.
They did so by adding 7-foot center Henri Veesaar from Arizona. He's coming off a season in which he averaged 9.4 points and 5 points per game for the Wildcats.
Sixth man: Forward Jarin Stevenson
Dec 4, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Jarin Stevenson (15) with the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels guard Drake Powell (9) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
After picking Alabama over North Carolina in his recruitment, the Chapel Hill native is back home after transferring to the Tar Heels this offseason. Stevenson never fully emerged during his time with the Crimson Tide and the hope is that he can have a breakout year this season. The forward averaged 5.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game for Alabama a year ago.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Projected UNC Basketball starting lineup for 2025-26 season
