Not every true freshman comes in and makes an immediate impact right away. Even with the changing landscape of college athletics, this is still not a bad thing by any means, as programs bring in guys who they feel can develop into key players during their tenure on campus.
Isaiah Denis appears to be that guy from this year's recruiting class.
An in-state product from Charlotte, North Carolina, Denis is viewed as a player with a ton of potential, but his time clock on when he'll make an impact remains to be seen. Of the three-player class he's a part of, Denis might just end up being the guy who surprises fans the most with his talent and play making ability.
Prior to North Carolina
Denis played high school basketball at Davidson Day School. His senior season was cut short due to injury, but he was highly effective in his 19 games played. The current Tar Heel freshman averaged 16.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per-game as a senior following a junior campaign in which he helped lead his school to the 2024 NCISSA title.
What to Expect in 2025-2026
The UNC basketball program has a lot of depth in the backcourt, a unit that features a good amount of veterans who look to claim most of the minutes.
While Denis might not see significant playing time early on, you could expect for him to get his opportunities over time. Having veterans to learn from will be valuable for both Denis and fellow freshman guard Derek Dixon, the combo who the Tar Heels would love to develop into the backcourt of the future for the program.
Bold Prediction
Even though it's very rare in the current college basketball landscape, Denis will be a four-year player at North Carolina. Denis, along with Dixon, will develop into the best backcourt in the ACC by the time their senior year rolls around, as the slower development period will pay dividends for the very talented duo.