In a moment of Tar Heel triumph, University of North Carolina senior guard RJ Davis has officially been named the 2025 Jerry West Award winner, a prestigious honor presented annually by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to the top shooting guard in men’s college basketball. The announcement cements Davis’s legacy in Chapel Hill and secures his place among the elite guards in the sport’s history.
Davis, a dynamic and tenacious playmaker, had a sensational 2024–25 season, leading the Tar Heels both on and off the court. His senior campaign was marked by consistency, leadership, and signature clutch performances that lifted North Carolina to the top of the ACC standings and into national title contention. He averaged 21.4 points, 4.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting over 45% from the field and a blistering 41% from three-point range.
A product of White Plains, New York, Davis came to UNC as a highly touted recruit, but his development into one of the most reliable two-way guards in college basketball is a story of grit and relentless dedication. By the end of his senior year, Davis had become the heartbeat of the Tar Heels program—playing with the poise of a veteran and the fire of a champion.
The Jerry West Award, named after the legendary NBA icon and Hall of Famer Jerry West, recognizes the best shooting guard in the nation each year. Davis stood out in a stacked field of elite guards across the country thanks to his scoring efficiency, leadership, and defensive intensity. His ability to take over games in the final minutes became a trademark of the 2024–25 season, including memorable performances against Duke, Kansas, and Virginia.
“RJ Davis embodies everything the Jerry West Award stands for—competitiveness, skill, composure, and leadership,” said Jerry West himself in a congratulatory statement. “Watching him play this season reminded me of what it takes to win at the highest level. He’s a true star, and the award is well deserved.”
Davis becomes the first Tar Heel in program history to win the Jerry West Award since its inception in 2015, adding to North Carolina’s rich basketball tradition. Head Coach Hubert Davis praised the senior guard’s impact on the team, saying, “RJ is the ultimate competitor. He stayed loyal to the program, grew every year, and left a permanent mark on Carolina Basketball. This award is a testament to his incredible journey.”
As the NBA Draft nears, Davis’s stock is soaring, with scouts praising his maturity, shooting mechanics, basketball IQ, and defensive tenacity. But before turning the page to the professional ranks, Davis will be forever remembered in Chapel Hill as a Tar Heel legend—a leader who brought Carolina fans unforgettable moments and raised the standard of what it means to wear the Carolina Blue.
With this Jerry West Award win, RJ Davis has not only added hardware to his name but written himself into the annals of college basketball greatness.
