Zayden High’s Breakout Moment: From Suspension to Starting for the Tar Heels
CHAPEL HILL - For Zayden High, Saturday wasn’t just another game. It was a statement.
A redemption arc. A long-awaited moment that saw him not only earn his first career start for North Carolina but also post personal bests in points and minutes - 15 and 32, respectively - in a 79-65 win over Pitt.
"It's a dream come true to start at North Carolina," High said afterward. And for him, that dream nearly slipped away.
Just a year ago, High’s future in Chapel Hill was anything but certain. After appearing in 23 games as a freshman, he found himself away from the team due to an off-court issue that led to a university suspension and removal from the roster. At that point, there were no guarantees he’d ever wear Carolina blue again.
But Hubert Davis believed in second chances.
“He brought me back when he didn’t have to,” High said, clearly emotional. “So I’m very thankful for him.”
High has been back with the team this season, but playing time has been scarce. Before Saturday, he’d logged double-digit minutes in just two games - both blowout wins where the rotation went deep. In UNC’s rivalry showdown with Duke, he didn’t see the floor at all.
But High stayed ready. That’s been the message from Davis all along: *When your number is called, be ready.
You don’t know when, or how, but be ready. *
That number got called in a big way this weekend.
With Caleb Wilson sidelined by injury and uncertainty surrounding Henri Veesaar - who was battling illness and a lower-body issue - High knew his role could expand. He’d practiced with the starters throughout the week, and by Friday, the writing was on the wall. Saturday morning, it became official: he was starting.
“I was a little nervous,” High admitted. “But I was just excited because I’ve kept my head down this whole season.”
He wasted no time making an impact, scoring UNC’s first points of the game. Then came the early sub-out - and a reality check.
“Yeah, that first four minutes, I was gassed,” he said with a grin. “But I wanted to play, so I was good.”
Good turned into great. High played 32 minutes - more than double his previous career high of 13 - and was on the floor for all but eight minutes of the game. He didn’t just fill space; he imposed his will.
In the second half, UNC went to him in the post on three straight possessions. High responded with three decisive post moves, three buckets. That wasn’t luck - that was muscle memory.
“I work on it every day with Coach Sean Maye,” High said. “Just believing in myself and the work that I put in.”
That work has been happening behind the scenes, where High battles daily with Wilson and Veesaar - two of the most talented bigs in the country. That kind of competition sharpens a player fast.
“Going against them every day, it makes me better for sure,” High said.
And it’s not just a matter of holding his own - sometimes, he dominates.
“We see it every day in practice,” said freshman guard Derek Dixon. “He’s a really good player.
He holds his own against Caleb and Henri every day, if not outplays them. We knew what was up, and we had a lot of confidence in him.”
That confidence translated to the court. High stayed composed, stayed out of foul trouble, rebounded, scored, and didn’t turn the ball over. He gave UNC a true post presence, something they needed with their frontcourt depth tested.
“The job that he did defensively, rebounding the basketball, staying out of foul trouble, giving us a post presence, didn’t turn the ball over,” Davis said. “I’m just really happy for him. So many people stepped up, but Zayden has waited his turn, and he took advantage of it.”
A year ago, High wasn’t sure if he’d ever play another minute in a UNC jersey.
On Saturday, he was the starting forward in a key ACC win - and he delivered.
His number was called. And he didn’t just answer - he made the moment his own.