Let's face it: we were all a little sour when Jarin Stevenson's initial recruitment didn't end in the UNC basketball program's favor.
Can you blame us? We all thought Stevenson was a lock to stay home and play his college basketball career in Chapel Hill!
Sure, it didn't pan out that way, but everything works out for a reason. Now, Stevenson returns home to continue his college basketball career, ready to suit up for his hometown squad this upcoming season.
You know what they say, good things are worth the wait.
Prior to North Carolina
Stevenson played his first two college seasons at Alabama, appearing in 74 games as a member of the Crimson Tide.
After being utilized in mostly a reserve role as a true freshman, Stevenson became a starter during his sophomore season, being on the court to start the game in 22 of his 37 appearances.
While his minutes slightly increased, his other stats pretty much stayed status quo. In fact, it's actually quite impressive how consistent he was, as it goes to show you what you can expect from him moving forward.
What to Expect in 2025-2026
At the minimum, you could expect Stevenson to post similar numbers that he did while at Alabama.
However, the Tar Heels plan to make him a breakout star, hoping he can provide a little more offensive spark while improving his three-point field goal percentage.
We all know that Jarin Stevenson is a better three-point shooter than his 31.2% career average indicates.
If he can get that average up even 4-5%, he will be a serious weapon for the UNC basketball program. While his role might be coming off the bench, you can expect him to see time at any of the frontcourt positions, as his versatility and size makes him an asset for Hubert Davis to deploy in various in-game situations.
Bold Prediction
Stevenson will play a significant role for the UNC basketball program, as it's not out of the question to believe that his overall production will increase during his homecoming junior season.
The Chapel Hill native will drain 50+ three-pointers this season, which would be 18+ more than he ever made during a single-season at Alabama.