UNC Basketball: What type of role will Dontrez Styles play this season?
By Drew Garrett
Our 2022-2023 UNC basketball player preview series continues with sophomore Dontrez Styles, the former 4-star from Kinston, NC.
Former 4-star Dontrez Styles is looking to make the next step in his second season with the UNC basketball program. Despite limited time on the floor in year one, Styles showed glimpses of what his future holds.
As North Carolina looks to return to the national stage, what will Dontrez Styles’ 2022-2023 season look like?
2021-2022 Season In Review
Dontrez Styles had an interesting 2021-2022 season.
The Kinston, North Carolina native had to fight for minutes in Hubert Davis’ rotation. In just over 5 minutes per game, he averaged 2 points and 1.4 rebounds.
However, as the season went on, Styles began to develop and show improvement in each game.
The first weekend of March showed us flashes of what Dontrez Styles could be.
In the Tar Heel’s blowout victory over Marquette, Styles played 15 minutes and contributed 6 points and 6 rebounds.
Following up this solid performance was his best game of the season, against Baylor. As you may remember, North Carolina got hot early and took a commanding lead over the No. 1 seed. Following Brady Manek’s ejection, the team collapsed and blew a 25-point lead.
Dontrez Styles was asked to play some very important minutes for North Carolina in this contest and he delivered. Styles drilled a three-pointer in overtime, which helped the Tar Heels hold on and defeat Baylor 93-86.
Although he didn’t play much after, Dontrez Styles proved he could be a very good piece for Hubert Davis and the UNC basketball program.
What to Expect In 2022-2023
Brady Manek left a big hole for North Carolina, and someone needs to fill it. Could that guy be Dontrez Styles?
Styles will have to compete with Northwestern transfer Pete Nance and freshman Jalen Washington for time this season, and from the looks of it, Nance will start at the forward position for the Tar Heels
However, Styles will still be able to contribute heavily off the bench.
Last year we saw Hubert Davis rarely go to the bench, but with players like Styles, Puff Johnson, and Jalen Washington in the mix, Davis could use the Tar Heel’s depth to his advantage.
Styles may have an opportunity to be a solid piece that comes in and takes the load off the Tar Heels’ starting five. Along with this responsibility, Styles will be able to play in big moments when called upon, similar to what he did in the Baylor game.
It’s likely that Styles will be a contributing member for North Carolina this season, and that we won’t be seeing him only playing a mere five minutes a contest.
Bold Prediction
In the 2021-2022 season, UNC’s depth was one of the teams’ major issues. Dontrez Styles can help fix that for the UNC basketball program.
As I mentioned earlier, the bench will consist of Styles, Johnson, and Washington. These three have the potential to solve this problem for the Tar Heels.
Dontrez Styles has proved he can deliver in big moments, and if he plays well in this bench role, he could be looked to in key situations for North Carolina.
Check out our previously released 2022-2023 UNC basketball player previews below:
Biscuit Boys | Tyler Nickel | Seth Trimble | Jalen Washington | Will Shaver | D’Marco Dunn
Next. Pete Nance named to Karl Malone Award Watch List. dark
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