When Michael Malone took over as the head coach of the UNC basketball program, he had plenty of work ahead of him.
With a roster undergoing significant changes and a new system to implement, Malone needed to establish relationships with his players while figuring out how to maximize their potential.
For Jarin Stevenson, that process began almost immediately.
After UNC's victory over Wofford, Malone said one of his first conversations after accepting the job was with Stevenson and his parents. The topic of discussion? Finding ways to help the talented forward become more aggressive.
"I think he's responded really well," Malone said when asked about Stevenson's development. "I remember when I first got the job, and I met with him maybe the day after I got the job, and with his mom and dad, and we talked about how do we get him more aggressive."
However, Malone wasn't interested in completely changing Stevenson's personality to accomplish that goal.
"I talked about knowing him and his personality. I'm never going to ask him to be something he's not. But on the court, his play can speak loudly."
Michael Malone is challenging Jarin Stevenson to let his game do the talking
Stevenson isn't necessarily the most outspoken player on the court, but Malone believes his actions speak volumes without him having to say much.
That was evident against Wofford, as Stevenson finished with 10 points and helped set the tone for the Tar Heels with his aggressive approach.
Malone specifically pointed to Stevenson's opening play as an example of what he wants from the forward.
"That first play, I just said it in front of the team. I thought it set the tone," Malone explained. "And so, being aggressive to drive, being aggressive on the glass, being aggressive to get to the free-throw line."
The message is clear: Malone doesn't need Stevenson to become someone he's not. He simply wants him to recognize the impact he can have when he plays assertively.
It's an important distinction, especially for a player whom the coaching staff believes can contribute in multiple ways.
As the Tar Heels continue to build chemistry with a roster featuring 11 newcomers, Stevenson's growth could be a key factor in how successful the team ultimately becomes.
What makes Malone's comments particularly interesting is that the conversation about Stevenson's aggressiveness didn't begin after a disappointing performance or during a recent practice. It was a priority from essentially the moment Malone arrived in Chapel Hill.
That speaks volumes about the expectations the new head coach has for Stevenson.
Malone also made it clear that his desire to see Stevenson succeed extends beyond the basketball court.
"He is such a quality young man. For all of our guys, we have a great group of kids. I just want them to have success because they work so hard every day. And as a coach, that's all you can ask for."
For Stevenson, the challenge moving forward is turning those encouraging flashes into consistent production.
If his performance against Wofford is any indication, the message Malone delivered during that early meeting is beginning to resonate.
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