By Brian Murphy, WRAL

North Carolina’s best player is returning to school for a final season.

All-American guard RJ Davis, the ACC player of the year, announced on social media Wednesday that he is returning to Chapel Hill for a fifth season.

“I’m back,” Davis wrote on Instagram where he posted a highlight video.

The news had been expected for weeks. Several outlets reported that Davis was returning to school previously and his name was not included on the NBA’s list of players foregoing college eligibility to enter the draft.

The 6-foot Davis averaged a career-high 21.2 points per game last season for North Carolina, which won the ACC regular-season title and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. UNC lost in the Sweet 16 to Alabama.

“This is a hard decision, bro, because it’s one you that you want to make right, make sure it’s right,” Davis said, saying he prayed and discussed it with his family.

Davis has increased his per-game scoring average each season in Chapel Hill. He averaged 8.4 points per game as a freshman, 13.5 as a sophomore and 16.1 as a junior. He set a Smith Center record for points when he dropped 42 against Miami in February.

It marks the second straight year that a top UNC player has returned for a fifth season — allowed because of the NCAA’s decision to grant all 2020 college players an additional season of eligibility due to the COVID pandemic. The NCAA’s rule change in 2021 allowing players to receive compensation for their name, image and likeness has also led to players remaining in college.

Center Armando Bacot returned to UNC last season for a fifth season.

“For all y’all out there saying that I’m old, I got to get a job, I know all the old jokes are coming,” Davis said. “I’m 22 years old, bro. I’m not 25, I’m not 28. I’m 22. … So y’all can bring the old jokes on, but I got to get that out there because I don’t really care what you got to say. It don’t bother me.”

The basketball program announced the news on X, saying, “RJ’s back.”

With Davis’ return, coach Hubert Davis’ Tar Heels have a formidable backcourt led by RJ Davis, sophomore Elliot Cadeau and junior Seth Trimble.

The Tar Heels got a recent commitment from Belmont’s Cade Tyson. Forward Harrison Ingram declared for the NBA Draft. UNC is looking for additional frontcourt help in the transfer portal.

Source: wralsportsfan.com