Hubert Davis may be out of the North Carolina dugout, but he’s not out of the UNC family.
That was obvious during Caleb Wilson’s second Summer League game, when Davis showed up to watch and then spent part of the second quarter of Chicago’s loss talking with ESPN during the action. The interview centered on Wilson, but Davis made it clear he was there for more than one former Tar Heel.
“We’ve got eight UNC guys that I coached (in the Summer League), and it’s really important for me," Davis said while on with ESPN. "Relationships are the biggest part for me, and I always tell them that I can’t coach them unless I know them, and they can’t play for me unless they know me.
And so, just being out here and giving them a hug and telling them how proud I am of them, it’s so much. It brings so much joy to my heart to see them out there on the floor.”
Davis and Wilson have built a particularly tight bond, and Wilson even invited him to the NBA Draft so Davis could be there when he was selected No. 4 overall. It was a big moment for Wilson, his family and Davis.
Wilson has kept the momentum rolling in Chicago, too. He opened Summer League with a historic 35-point performance, then followed it with 19 points on 8-of-17 shooting against the Jazz, who held out Darryn Peterson in disappointing fashion.
Through two games, Wilson has looked every bit the part, and Davis has been front and center to see it. For Davis, the scene also reflects what has defined his time around the program: the relationships. Even after being fired by UNC this offseason, he’s still showing up for the players he coached.
Davis was let go after North Carolina’s second-half meltdown against VCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. It was a rough ending, but it doesn’t erase the way he poured himself into the job or the connections he made along the way. Those ties are still visible now, and they’re carrying over into the pro game.
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Hubert Davis Finally Addressed The Caleb Wilson Debate UNC Fans Feared
Caleb Wilsons strong showing in NBA Summer League has only sharpened the conversation around what kind of pro he can become, and it has also kept his North Carolina exit in the spotlight. Hubert Davis has been clear that he is proud of Wilsons progress, praising the forwards character and competitiveness while pointing to the kind of growth that has made him look like a future NBA player.
Wilsons earlier comments about his role at North Carolina not emphasizing three-point shooting have lingered in the background, feeding a broader debate about coaching and player development. Davis, for his part, has tried to keep the focus on Wilsons talent and trajectory rather than any lingering tension, which is why the subject still feels like one Tar Heels fans will keep circling until it is fully settled. [Read more 🡒]
Did Drake Powell Leave UNC Before His Offense Was Ready
Drake Powells first summer as a pro has looked a lot like the version of him that made him such an intriguing draft pick in the first place: long, explosive and disruptive on defense. The rookie taken 22nd overall has flashed the athleticism that made him a first-rounder, but his offensive game is still very much a work in progress, and that showed up again during NBA Summer League.
A recent 18-point outing offered a reminder of what Powell can do when the shot is falling, but it did not erase the bigger concern around his comfort level as a scorer. He still looks uneasy putting the ball on the floor and creating against a defender, which is why the question lingers for North Carolina fans: would another year in Chapel Hill, with a bigger role and more offensive reps, have helped him arrive in the league more ready for the next step? [Read more 🡒]
This Tar Heel Could Change Everything About UNCs Passing Game
North Carolina is heading toward training camp with plenty still to sort out on offense, and the passing game may end up being the biggest swing factor of all. Bobby Petrino has reason to feel encouraged about the personnel he has to work with, especially after the Tar Heels added pieces through the transfer portal and brought in a receiver in Humphrey from Lehigh who is expected to fit in quickly alongside Jordan Shipp.
What makes the next few weeks so interesting is that the quarterback job is still open, with Billy Edwards Jr., Travis Burgess and Miles ONeill all in the mix. However that battle settles, the Tar Heels are clearly trying to build a more dangerous aerial attack, and Humphrey looks like one of the newcomers who could help change the shape of it once camp gets going. [Read more 🡒]