BREAKING NEWS: UNC’s RJ Davis Wins 2025 Jerry West Award — Nation’s Top Shooting Guard Claims Prestigious Honor
The Tar Heel faithful have reason to celebrate today — North Carolina senior RJ Davis has been officially named the winner of the 2025 Jerry West Award, an annual honor presented by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to the top shooting guard in men’s college basketball.
This monumental achievement caps off a sensational season for Davis, who not only led UNC on the court with his scoring, leadership, and tenacity, but also captured the attention and respect of fans and analysts nationwide.
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A Season to Remember
RJ Davis’s 2024–25 campaign will go down in UNC history as one of the most complete and explosive performances by a guard in the program’s storied tradition. Averaging 21.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, Davis was the engine behind the Tar Heels’ rise back to national prominence.
He delivered night after night — from clutch late-game shots to lockdown defense to moments of veteran poise that elevated the entire team.
> “RJ is everything you want in a college basketball player,” said head coach Hubert Davis. “He’s tough, smart, selfless, and fearless. He embraced the pressure of wearing that Carolina blue and made us better every single day.”
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Jerry West Award: A Fitting Tribute
The Jerry West Award is reserved for the elite of the elite — guards who can do it all: score, defend, lead, and inspire. RJ Davis joins an exclusive list of past winners including Jalen Suggs, Johnny Davis, and James Bouknight, proving that he’s not only the best shooting guard in college hoops this year — he’s also among the best in recent memory.
The award committee praised Davis for his consistent excellence, ability to perform in high-stakes situations, and his complete game on both ends of the floor.
> “RJ Davis represents everything the Jerry West Award stands for,” said a Hall of Fame spokesperson. “He’s a scoring threat from anywhere, a competitor at heart, and a leader on and off the court.”
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A Legacy Cemented in Chapel Hill
For Davis, who returned to UNC for his senior year amid growing NBA buzz, the decision to stay has now paid off in historic fashion. He joins the pantheon of Tar Heel legends, etching his name alongside greats like Raymond Felton, Ty Lawson, and Joel Berry — guards who led UNC to greatness.
Beyond the stats and the honors, RJ Davis’s heart, loyalty, and resilience have made him a fan favorite in Chapel Hill. His impact stretches beyond the Dean Dome and will serve as inspiration for the next generation of Tar Heel guards.
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What’s Next?
With the Jerry West Award in hand and NBA scouts watching closely, Davis’s future is brighter than ever. But for now, the spotlight belongs to a young man who bet on himself, trusted his coaches, and delivered greatness.
RJ Davis didn’t just win an award — he built a legacy.
And in doing so, he reminded the college basketball world that North Carolina is still where legends are made.
Congratulations, RJ — Tar Heel Nation is proud.
