Senior guard Cormac Ryan offered unwavering support for his teammate RJ Davis following Davis’ challenging performance in the Sweet 16 match against Alabama, where North Carolina suffered an 89-87 defeat.
In a statement captured by Andrew Carter of the Raleigh News & Observer, Ryan stepped forward when Davis’ performance was brought into question:
“I feel compelled to speak up here. Regardless of the critiques or analysis of tonight’s game, whether it’s about RJ’s performance or the statistics, one thing remains certain: without RJ Davis and Armando Bacot, we wouldn’t be where we are today. The success of this team is deeply rooted in their contributions.
“So, speak your mind, but there’s no shred of truth in suggesting that tonight’s outcome rests solely on RJ’s shoulders. RJ has made remarkable contributions to this team, achieving feats that are unparalleled. He’s etching his name among the Tar Heel greats. Criticizing RJ is unjustifiable, and I stand by that.”
Despite Davis’ struggles in the game, where he went 4-of-20 from the field and missed all nine of his attempts from beyond the arc, he still managed to contribute 16 points and seven assists. Throughout the season, Davis led North Carolina in scoring with an average of 21.2 points per game and earned the title of ACC Player of the Year.
At 22 years old, Davis has been a pivotal figure for the Tar Heels since 2020, playing a significant role in their journey to the National Championship Game two seasons ago. This season, following their absence from the NCAA tournament last year, North Carolina secured a 1-seed, largely owing to Davis’ standout performances.
While Davis’ collegiate career concluded with a disappointing loss, his impact on the program remains undeniable. His 2,088 career points place him fifth on North Carolina’s all-time scoring list, trailing only Tyler Hansbrough, Armando Bacot, Phil Ford, and Sam Perkins. Additionally, Davis ranks second in three-pointers made by a UNC player, with 274, surpassed only by Marcus Paige.
Both Davis and Bacot have been integral to North Carolina’s basketball legacy, but with their departure alongside Ryan, the team will undergo significant changes, transitioning to a younger roster next season. Despite this, incoming talents like Ian Jackson and Drake Powell offer promise for the future.
While Davis’ journey at UNC may not have concluded as he envisioned, Ryan’s assertion holds true: North Carolina’s pursuit of a national title would have been improbable without Davis’ invaluable contributions.
