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Hubert Davis opens up about how he reacted when four of five starters elected to return

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•06/17/22•

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Hubert Davis and North Carolina have plenty of reason to be excited for this coming season, getting four starters back from last year’s Final Four run. It seemed a surprise the Tar Heels got so many pieces back — but Davis wasn’t shocked at all.

This week, Davis talked about his reaction to Armando Bacot, Caleb Love, R.J. Davis and Leaky Black all deciding to run it back with UNC in 2021-22. They all played major roles last season, along with Brady Manek, who ran out of eligibility after the year. Now, they’ll all be back in the fold, and Hubert Davis thinks their decisions will have long-term benefits for the program.

“It was something during the year that I never thought about,” Davis said. “Is it a surprise to me? No. It is a surprise to other people but it is not a surprise to me. And the reason why it’s not a surprise to me is I knew that when they would have those types of experiences that all of us as coaches and former players have had that they would want to continue to have those types of experiences.”

Hubert Davis: ‘I wish I could’ve taken a fifth year’

Davis also shared a story about his time as a player at North Carolina and, eventually, his time in the NBA. He didn’t have the option to come back — but he said he would’ve taken it if he had it.

“I got picked first round in the NBA Draft, pick No. 20, and if somebody said would you like to go to the New York Knicks, go to the NBA, or would you like to like to have another year at North Carolina, there’d [be] no hesitation,” Davis said. “I wish I could’ve taken a fifth year. So for Caleb and R.J. and Armando and Leaky, they finally got to a point where they tasted the type of success that all of us as former players have experienced and they don’t want to give it up.

“It really makes me feel really good that they had a good time and they enjoy being here. I always wanted that. I’ve wanted guys that want to be here. I’ve wanted talented basketball players, but I want people that want to be here, and R.J. and Caleb and Leaky and Armando, because of what they have experienced, they want to be here and that brings a lot of joy to my heart. I think it’s awesome.”