🚨 BREAKING NEWS: Hubert Davis Reveals UNC’s 2025-26 Roster, Stuns Fans by Excluding Entire Returning Core
In a jaw-dropping shake-up to one of college basketball’s most storied programs, University of North Carolina men’s basketball head coach Hubert Davis unveiled his 16-man roster for the 2025-26 season — and it doesn’t include a single returning player from last year’s squad.
The announcement sent shockwaves through Chapel Hill and the broader basketball community, as veterans Leaky Black, Armando Bacot, RJ Davis, and Seth Trimble — players many assumed would anchor the team’s leadership — were all left off the roster.
“Sometimes to move forward, you have to completely reset,” Davis said in Friday’s press conference at the Dean E. Smith Center. “We’re bringing in a new squad that I believe represents the next era of UNC basketball. I love and respect the guys who’ve been here, but this year is about fresh energy, new roles, and a new identity.”
A Bold Coaching Gamble
The decision is seen by many as one of the boldest roster moves in modern Tar Heels history. Leaky Black, known for his defensive versatility and veteran leadership, had been a cornerstone in UNC’s perimeter defense. Armando Bacot, the program’s all-time leader in rebounds and double-doubles, was widely expected to continue dominating the paint. RJ Davis, an All-ACC guard and one of the nation’s top scorers last season, was the offensive heartbeat of the team. Seth Trimble, a rising two-way guard, had been pegged by analysts as a future breakout star.
Excluding them means Davis is not simply retooling — he’s rebuilding from the ground up.
The Freshman Takeover
Replacing these veterans will be a roster headlined by a crop of highly touted freshmen. While Davis declined to reveal every name during the initial press conference, he did tease that the incoming class includes “some of the best high school talent in the nation” — players who, in his words, “will write their own history instead of trying to extend someone else’s.”
Sources close to the program hint that this freshman class includes multiple five-star recruits and McDonald’s All-Americans, alongside several international standouts who bring size, speed, and shooting prowess.
Fan Reaction: Shock, Excitement, and Concern
Social media lit up within minutes of the announcement. Many fans expressed disbelief that such an experienced core would be completely dismantled. Others saw it as a necessary step after what some considered an underachieving 2024-25 campaign.
“This is either going to be the most brilliant coaching decision of the decade or a total disaster,” one UNC alumnus posted on X (formerly Twitter). “There’s no middle ground.”
Looking Ahead
Davis insists that while the move may feel extreme, it’s strategic. “The standard at UNC is excellence,” he said. “That means constant growth, even if it’s uncomfortable. I believe this group will surprise people — not just with their talent, but with their heart.”
With a roster full of untested but elite newcomers, the Tar Heels’ 2025-26 season promises to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. Whether this gamble leads to a deep tournament run or a painful rebuilding year will depend on how quickly these freshman stars can adapt to the pressures of college basketball’s biggest stage.
One thing is certain — in Chapel Hill, change has arrived, and Hubert Davis is betting the house on it.
About the Author
