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UNC Women’s Basketball: Sophomore Ready For Bigger Role

By Jordan Falls

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 05: Paulina Paris #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles the ball against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on February 05, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 05: Paulina Paris #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles the ball against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on February 05, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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The UNC Women’s Basketball team has plenty of talent, but one guard is looking to take on a more significant role this season.

Paulina Paris joined the UNC Women’s Basketball roster last season as a true freshman after being ranked as the No. 27 player in the country in her recruiting class by ESPN.

Paris was also part of the Jordan Brand Classic National Team in 2022, prior to her freshman season. She is talented and a very athletic guard who is looking to make significant strides and build on her successful freshman campaign in Chapel Hill.

2022-2023 Season In Review

Even as a freshman, Paris played in all 33 games for the Tar Heels in 2022-2023. She played a vital role off the bench, providing depth and averaging 20.2 minutes per game. She averaged 6.3 points per game and 1.8 rebounds during her freshman season while also being third on the team in three-point percentage at 31.5%.

Her career high during the 2022-23 campaign came during one of her four starts last season when she scored 22 points at Clemson in a 69-58 win for the Tar Heels. She was 7-14 from the field, including 6-12 from three-point range, and also racking up five steals.

What to Expect in 2023-2024

Paris developed tremendously as the 2022-23 season progressed, and UNC Women’s Basketball fans should expect that upward trend to continue throughout her career, especially as she jumps from her freshman to sophomore season.

During Live Action with Carolina Basketball a week ago, Paris appeared to be one of the more poised players on the floor, playing with confidence and moving the ball effectively. While it was just an intrasquad scrimmage, Tar Heel fans should be encouraged by her ability at the event.

Bold Prediction

We feel pretty confident that four of the five starter positions are filled between the following players: Deja Kelly, Lexi Donarski, Alyssa Ustby, and Maria Gadkeng. Look for Paris to challenge for that fifth starting spot. While that would put four “guards” on the floor, it would give Courtney Banghart more flexibility than she has had in the past.

Look for Paris to make that drastic freshman-to-sophomore jump that we hear so much about, and she will improve her scoring ability, averaging double figures for the Tar Heels in 2023-2024. Paris also goes from the third-best three-point shooter on the team to the best three-point shooter this season and is the go-to shooter from beyond the arc for North Carolina.

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