UNC Basketball 2023-2024 season review: Jalen Washington
By Austin Owens
Should Washington return to North Carolina?
For Jalen Washington, the decision to return to North Carolina may be more difficult than people realize. What this could really boil down to is the plan Hubert Davis has for the future.
With Armando Bacot gone and the 2024-2025 recruiting class not having a dominant big man, Jalen Washington could be the starting center for the Tar Heels next season. We know that Hubert Davis likes to have at least four three point threats on the court together. If having five perimeter scoring options is a priority over rim protection, Washington should stay in Chapel Hill.
On the other hand, North Carolina historically has a true center to protect the rim on the defensive end and grab offensive rebounds. This is not exactly Washington's game. If Hubert Davis looks to play more traditional North Carolina basketball and grabs some big men from the transfer portal, Washington may be happier elsewhere.
It would sting to lose someone with the skill set that Jalen Washington does, but sometimes, certain skill sets just don't mesh with a team's needs or system. We could see Washington have a similar situation to that of Walker Kessler a few years back.