Keeping It Heel
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Jae'Lyn Withers strives to make the most of his final season as a Tar Heel

Jae'Lyn Withers could earn a bigger role for the UNC basketball program this season.

By JT Zangara

Memphis' Colby Rogers (3) tries to block North Carolina's Jae'Lyn Withers (24) during the game between UNC and Memphis in the Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic at FedExForum on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
Memphis' Colby Rogers (3) tries to block North Carolina's Jae'Lyn Withers (24) during the game between UNC and Memphis in the Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic at FedExForum on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. / Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Most people remember the final minutes of the 2023-2024 season for the UNC basketball program not favorably. Jae'Lyn Withers missed a crucial three-pointer, one of many plays that led to the Tar Heels loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the NCAA Tournament.

While it was a big play, it shouldn't be the one that defines Withers' first season as a Tar Heel.

Brought in as a transfer, Withers provided athleticism to the UNC basketball program's frontcourt, as he aims to play an even bigger role this upcoming season.

2023-2024 Season in Review

Jae'Lyn Withers transferred to North Carolina from the University of Louisville prior to last season. The 6-foot-9 forward played three years at Louisville and started 64 games. When Withers got to North Carolina, he was mostly used off the bench, aside from starting three games. Withers averaged 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in around 12 minutes a game. 

What to Expect in 2024-2025

Jae'Lyn Withers will come off the bench again this season but is fighting for more minutes. During the two exhibition games vs Memphis and Johnson C. Smith, Withers put up almost identical stats. Withers had 17 minutes in both games with six points and eight rebounds. This shows how Hubert Davis could be giving Withers more minutes this season.

Withers will be battling with other forwards, such as Cade Tyson, James Brown, Ty Claude, and Ven-Allen Lubin, for big minutes off the bench. It will be interesting to see who gets the bigger role to start the season.

Bold Prediction

Jae'Lyn Withers gets more minutes and becomes an important piece off the bench. Withers will be an important part of this team defensively and grabbing boards. We saw in the exhibition games where he finished top 3 in rebounding in both games for the Tar Heels. Withers can continue to work his way into an important role off the bench if he continues a good defensive game. It won't be easy competing with 4 other forwards, but we have seen Withers be successful at Louisville. We could see him play a bigger bench role in his last season in Chapel Hill.

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