As ACC play begins, three Tar Heels have emerged as North Carolina’s top performers and will be critical to the team’s success the rest of the season.
North Carolina is off to its best start in 17 years as it concludes its nonconference slate with a 12-1 record and the No. 12 ranking in the AP Top 25.
Here are the top three performers for UNC so far this season. Each has made a substantial impact on the team’s success, consistently delivering in key moments and setting a high standard for teammates. As the season continues, their play will remain a critical factor in determining how far UNC can go.
Henri Veesaar
Veesaar is averaging 16.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. He is shooting 64.1% from the floor, which ranks 19th in the country. He is also shooting 50% from 3-point range, 33rd nationally, and has a 70.6 effective field goal percentage, which ranks 14th nationally and first in the ACC, according to KenPom. His true shooting percentage is 70.5, 18th in the nation.
Caleb Wilson
Wilson has exceeded expectations so far, averaging 19.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.4 steals per game — all team highs. He is shooting 55.4% from the field and has nine double-doubles this season, tied for the third most by a freshman in North Carolina history with Sam Perkins (1980-81) and J.R. Reid (1986-87). He has also posted nine 20-point games, which is likewise tied for the third most by a Tar Heels freshman.
Jarin Stevenson
While his stat sheet does not jump off the page, Stevenson is best evaluated by what he does on the floor rather than in the box score. His value comes from his versatility, as his length and agility make him a matchup problem on both ends of the court.
He can play the three, four or five for North Carolina when called upon and can guard almost anyone at any spot on the floor. He is averaging 6.5 points and 4 rebounds per game off the bench.
Honorable Mention: Seth Trimble
Despite appearing in only four games so far because of injury, he is averaging 14.5 points and 3.7 assists. He looks like a veteran — and he should. He is in his fourth year of college basketball at the same school, a rarity in today’s transfer-heavy era.
Since Trimble’s return, North Carolina has looked faster and freer in transition. That is not a coincidence; it is exactly what head coach Hubert Davis emphasized after the Tar Heels beat Ohio State on Dec. 20.
Trimble would have been on my top three had he had not gotten hurt and miss nine games.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Top performers in non-conference play
Category: General Sports
