UNC Basketball: Tar Heels’ projected 2020-21 starting lineup

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 21: Garrison Brooks #15, Leaky Black #1 and Anthony Harris #0 of the North Carolina Tar Heels walk back on the court after a timeout in their game against the UCLA Bruins during the CBS Sports Classic at T-Mobile Arena on December 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Tar Heels defeated the Bruins 74-64. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 21: Garrison Brooks #15, Leaky Black #1 and Anthony Harris #0 of the North Carolina Tar Heels walk back on the court after a timeout in their game against the UCLA Bruins during the CBS Sports Classic at T-Mobile Arena on December 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Tar Heels defeated the Bruins 74-64. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 18: RJ Davis #2 of Team Zion looks on during the SLAM Summer Classic 2019 at Dyckman Park on August 18, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

R.J. Davis

The shooting guard position is where things get really interesting for the Tar Heels in the fall of 2020. Since Leaky Black will likely already be included in the starting five — but on the wing — that takes him out of contention for the two guard role. Anthony Harris is a natural fit for the position, but may not be fully recovered from a torn ACL that he sustained last season. And Jeremiah Francis is best suited to be a backup point guard next season.

That brings us to the next most likely option — and maybe the most viable — incoming 4-star freshman combo guard R.J. Davis. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound Davis is a good ball handler that can drive the lane with speed and efficiency. He’s good at creating his own offense, and setting up teammates to get theirs. He’s got quickness in the open court, and on the fast break, and can hit shots from all over the court. He’s also a good rebounder for a guard of his size. He gets to the free throw line often, and converts a high percentage of his shots there.

He averaged 26.5 points, eight rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game as a senior at Archbishop Stepinac en route to becoming Westchester County’s all-time leading scorer. He was named Mr. Basketball New York — the first Stepinac player in history to receive the honor — and was invited to the McDonald’s All-American Game, the Jordan Brand Classic and the Allen Iverson Roundball Classic. A once underrated and little-thought-about guard from the Northeast, Davis became of the nation’s premier up-and-coming back court stars in 2020 after being rated 250th in the class just 18 months ago.

So, what does all of that amount to for the Tar Heels? Well, it means they’ll have two high-caliber guards leading the way this season that both have the ability to score and facilitate the rock. And North Carolina shouldn’t ever be left in a position where they are reliant upon just one guard, and in serious trouble when he goes to the bench. Similar to the UNC front court that’ll boast Garrison Brooks and three 5-star bigs, the Tar Heels’ back court will be loaded, especially once Harris is 100 percent.