By Pat Welter

It was clear to anyone who saw Seth Trimble dunk in middle school that he was destined for great heights. At the University of North Carolina he just needed to wait for take off.

“I’ve kind of been through it all these last three to four years and I’m very, very grateful for it,” Trimble said.

In his junior season, Trimble has more than doubled his points per game from last year to 11.9. He’s also the team’s leading rebounder at 5.2 rebounds per game, not to mention the impact he makes on the defensive end.

“It really feels good to know all the hard work you put in the last few years, all the days and hours you spent in the gym, all the rough nights you had,” Trimble said. “Everything has finally come together.”

It’s hard to imagine Carolina this season without Trimble’s versatility and leadership, but he could be playing for another school. After losing to Alabama 89-87 in the Sweet 16 of last year’s NCAA tournament and playing just 11 minutes, Trimble entered the transfer portal.

“I felt like I had to take a step back in that moment and reevaluate myself, reevaluate all my options,” Trimble said. “Just see and understand what was really best for me and at the end of the day that ended up being North Carolina.”

Of course it’s hard to leave when your blood is Carolina blue. Seth’s older brother J.P. Tokoto played at Carolina from 2012-2015.

“I remember him telling me that it’s going to be hard,” Trimble said. “Nothing in this world comes easy, especially being at this level, being at this school, nothing comes easy.”

Chapel Hill has become like a second home now for Trimble and his parents, Trevor and Laurence Trimble, but they’ll never forget where they are from.

“Here we go, here we go!” Bob Vitale cheered from a seat next to Trevor as Seth checked into the game versus Miami earlier this season.

At almost every game Seth hosts a guest from his hometown of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Guests like Vitale, who was his high school principal, and athletic director Brian Heimark, who was his athletic director.

“It’s just a tremendous family and a tremendous kid,” Heimark said. “To see him mature from his freshman year in high school to where he is today, not just in basketball, because we can see that on the court, but just as an individual.”

“Basketball wise the kid is phenomenal,” Vitale said. “I just love watching him grow as a man.”

Since Seth’s freshman year Vitale and Heimark have gone to about two home games and one road game per year to see Seth play.

“To the best principal and athletic director in all of high school!” Trevor said after the Miami game as the family gathered for pictures on the court at the Dean Smith Center.

For the Trimbles it’s not success unless it’s shared.

“My family and I we really just want to give back,” Seth said. “To all the people who looked out for me growing up in my community. Whether it’s my principal, my best friend’s parents, whatever it is. There’s so many people that have given back to me that have blessed me with opportunities and we just want to give that back to them.”

Source: wralsportsfan.com