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UNC Basketball: R.J. Davis’ big game leads Archbishop Stepinac to victory

By Blake Cockrum

CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 29: The mascot of the North Carolina Tar Heels in action against the Michigan Wolverines during their game at Dean Smith Center on November 29, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 29: The mascot of the North Carolina Tar Heels in action against the Michigan Wolverines during their game at Dean Smith Center on November 29, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Class of 2020 UNC basketball commit R.J. Davis led Archbishop Stepinac to victory with an incredible performance on Tuesday night.

Fans of opposing teams scoffed when R.J. Davis was named a McDonald’s All-American last week. “He’s not even a 5-star prospect,” they shouted. “He only made the team because he’s going to North Carolina,” they claimed. But after two double-doubles and a triple-double in his last three games, maybe they’ll ease up a bit.

Last Friday, just a day after being named to the most prestigious prep All-Star game in the country, Davis scored 38 points on a 10-for-17 shooting performance, including 26 in the second half. He shot an outstanding 16-for-18 from the free throw line, and had 10 rebounds and six assists in a 77-67 road win over Cardinal Hayes. And even on an “off night” this past Sunday, Davis scored 12 points and dished out 12 assists.

On Tuesday night, though, the future Tar Heel had one of his best games ever when he put up 38 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals in a 97-59 victory over conference rival Archbishop Molloy. According to Varsity Insider’s Josh Thomson, Davis’ 38 points give him 2,302 for his career, and he’s just 90 points away from moving into the top-20 in New York state history. He’s also just 319 points away from passing former Georgia Tech great Kenny Anderson for the CHSAA record.

Davis is now averaging 27.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, five assists and 2.3 steals per game for the season. Those numbers, and the type of season he’s having, sure look like that of a McDonald’s All-American. Granted, he’s already jumped nearly 150 spots in the 247Sports Composite since May of 2019, but maybe he should be higher still.

There are a number of months remaining before the final recruiting rankings for the 2020 class are released, and Davis should be getting serious consideration for 5-star status. Regardless, Roy Williams and the Tar Heels have found a gem in Davis, and he should help form one heck of a tandem with fellow 2020 back court commit Caleb Love.

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