MBB Media Day Recap

Head Coach Hubert Davis Press Conference:

Q: I've got a question about playing in Memphis, the game you're going to do there. We've gone from teams having secret scrimmages and everything. Now you're playing a scrimmage for charity. What appealed to you about doing an event like that?

A: I think a couple of things. One, teaming up with Penny (Hardaway), you know, we've had a long relationship, obviously, playing against each other in the NBA. And so being able to have a friendship, and just talking in terms of when we're together and recruiting, and we talked about the possibility of us playing together, and we both really liked the idea. Competing against a great team and program like Memphis early in the season, too, prepares us and gets us ready for the upcoming season. It's something that is really beneficial to us, and so we're really excited about the opportunity to do that. But also to serve St. Jude's Hospital, it centers around pediatric cancers and diseases. That's dear to me with the experience of my mom passing away from cancer, and so to be able to play against each other and compete, but to be able to serve together was something that was a no-brainer for both of us. I'm really excited about the opportunity.

Q: We haven't talked to you for quite a while, so returning to the spring, you were looking to replenish your roster and looking for big guys. What were some of the challenges you went through with these very big guys out there taking a lot of visits and building enough of a relationship to get a feel for a guy in this process? What were these challenges?

A: I wouldn't consider them challenges. Obviously in recruiting, whether it's high school or the transfer portal, you're looking to check two boxes: a want and a need. Once you find people who check those boxes in terms of want and need, you know it's developing a relationship and finding out if it's the right fit for our team and our program. And so attacking the transfer portal is nothing different than recruiting high school kids. It's checking those two boxes, understanding what we want and what we need, and does it fit in what we're trying to do as a team, in terms of the specific team's upcoming year and also our program.

Q: What are some of the things that made you feel like Ven-Allen Lubin was a fit?

A: His versatility, his ability to rebound and defend. He can guard the post. He guards out on the perimeter. His versatility on the offensive end, getting to the offensive glass and running in transition, his ability to shoot the ball from the outside, but also handle and make plays from the perimeter. He is able to score in the post despite the fact that he's not as tall as Armando. But just his ability to finish around a basket, that type of versatility was something that all of us were looking for, and we feel like we got in Ven.

Q: Obviously, Armando has been a staple for a long time, and the frontcourt has sort of been remade. How do you feel about the frontcourt?

A: The foundation of the way that we want to play, that will never change. I've talked at great length about how the most important thing for us in determining the outcome of a game is rebounding. So it doesn't matter who we have, we're gonna box out and rebound, and if you don't go to the offensive glass, you're not gonna play. For me, just the benefit of us being a good defensive team, last year we were a really good defensive team, and so in order for us to get stops, that allows us to get out in transition and run like we did last year. And that was really good for us, from an offensive standpoint, and just our pace. So, I've always said I want to dominate points in the paint through post-penetration and offensive rebounding. And it doesn't matter if we have five guys that look like me. That's what we're going to do. But there are also times, according to personnel, you've got to tweak, pivot, alternate and change.

Armando was one-of-one. People would ask, 'How do you replace Armando?' You can't replace a one-of-one. And so this group is going to have to rebound, we're going to have to dominate points in the paint. Maybe a little bit differently than the way that maybe Armando did, but we have the personnel to be able to do that, whether it's in the frontcourt or the backcourt. And I'm really excited about the tweaks and the pivots and the ways that we can change and still do what we want to do is to still live in the paint, live at the free throw line, and attack the basket.

Q: RJ Davis is one of the best players in the country, how do you expect him to be better this year?

A: Well, I mean, I'd be okay if he had the same type of year that he had last year. I'd be okay with that. Last year, it was historic. It wasn't a good or great year. It was a historic year. And him coming back, obviously, you want him to do the same things that he did last year. He did so much for us, but his leadership role has just been off the chart. It's been really nice to see his progression in terms of maturity and feeling comfortable to be that type of leader within his own personality. And I've always said that I was so fortunate as a freshman to have a Jeff Lebo and a Steve Bucknall that could teach me how to prepare, how to practice, how to play, the right way to put me in a position to be successful. Now, RJ has that, with Drake (Powell), Ian (Jackson), James Brown, Cade (Tyson), and Ven (Lubin). So, continuing to do the same things that he did because I thought he was the excellent defensive player RJ was last year, and just his growth from a leadership standpoint has been huge. I'd like him to continue that, and he has already done so this year.

Q: In terms of your pace, as you mentioned with the Armando answer, it sounds like you want these guys playing faster than ever before.

A: I do.

Q: What does that look like now in the preseason in terms of what you're asking them to do at practice? How are you going about making that happen?

A: We're not there yet. I've been straightforward and direct that I want to be the fastest team in the country from free throw line to free throw line. In order to do that, you have to be in the best shape of your life, and there needs to be a full commitment in regards to how we're going to play that way. And so if you're not in the best shape of your life, you're not going to play. If you don't sprint to the offensive end, you're not going to play. If you don't sprint back defensively, you're not in the best shape of your life, you're just not going to play. I think we have the personnel that can really take advantage of early offense with our pace, with our speed, with our athleticism, with our versatility. I think it's something that's really good with this team. We talk about it, the guys will be out there for the first 20 minutes, and they'll be running, and it's a real huge emphasis for us to be in great shape so that we can play at the pace that we want to play this year.

Q: How do you see Ian Jackson's skillset fitting into this team?

A: He's gifted, and his ability in the open court to do a number of different things is real. The speed, the athleticism, the ability to attack the basket, and the ability to shoot from three. He's always loved to play an up-tempo style and pace, and it's one of the many reasons why I think he decided to come here. So, he's going to fit in great out there on the floor with Elliot and Drake and Seth and RJ, and all those guys will be on the floor a lot at the same time.

Q: With Seth initially entering the transfer portal and then coming back out, what were those few weeks like and the process of bringing him back?

A: At the end of the year, it's obviously different than when I was in school. You know, every kid at the end of the year evaluates, and there are decisions in terms of going to the NBA or the transfer portal. And I will say this: I'm so thankful, honored and excited that Seth has decided to come back. He's an unbelievable kid, a joy to be around, a joy to coach, and the progression that he has made every year is exactly what you want to see as a coach and exactly what you want to see in a player. Just so thankful that Seth decided to come back. There was no process. I never wanted him to go into the transfer portal. I wanted him to be here, always.

Q: How would you assess Elliot Cadeau's progression?

A: His progression has been huge, but I would say specifically in two areas. One, I mean, he's just knocking down shots all over the place, and just the confidence as a result of the hard work that has been put in this summer. He's a guy that lives in the gym, wants to get better, and not just for himself. He really wants to get better so that our team can be better. So, he's always thinking about the team, and then just his overall leadership is just off the chart. I mean, the way that he holds himself accountable, but to other players, the encouragement that he gives his teammates. One of the things that we like, which I love, is the progression of going from freshman to sophomore to junior. Because of going to the NBA and because of the transfer portal, sometimes you don't get to see or experience that. And that's really one of the cool things to see the difference between Elliott as a sophomore compared to a freshman. It's really neat.

He's also just an example of giving back and getting out in the community. He did two camps at Hargraves Community Center, which is a community center that serves the Chapel Hill community, specifically the African American and Hispanic communities. He did two camps there. One of the camps coincided with the backpack drive, where he was giving supplies and backpacks for kids to start school. And so that's just another example of growing and him
growing up, and it's just been great.

Q: Just follow up, you said he's making shots all over. Is it rest and confidence from the summer that maybe helped the shot? Is there anything mechanical you guys have done in terms of, especially with shooting with range?

A: I think it's a combination of both, and just tightening the screws, in terms of the discipline of details of shooting and just the fundamentals. But it really is getting in the gym and just living in the gym, just like the repetition and just the hours of being able to be put in there. Just to put yourself in a position to be a consistent shooter, and he has done that. He has been committed to that. But you know, it's not just shooting from three. It's, as I told you before, the leadership on the court, off the court, it's been really good to see.

Q: What have you seen from Jalen Washington this offseason? What have the conversations looked like with him moving into an upperclassman role?

A: Those conversations and his growth it's been fun to watch as well. His first year was really rehab, and the last couple of summers, and specifically this summer, he was working on his game. And he's gotten bigger, stronger, more athletic, and more confident. We need him to have a big year. He's been our best rebounder, our best screener, our best big in shape, running the floor, shooting the ball extremely well from the outside. Does a really good job in space, off of rolls, off of ball screens, being able to finish around the basket, and attacking the offensive glass. And that's what we need. We need him to do that consistently, and as he's doing that, he is a better kid. He's adorable, and he's just, I know he's 6-11, but he's just, I love him to death. He's pretty cool to be able to coach him every day.

Q: How do you balance that adorable side with what you want to see from him on the court?

A: Well, yeah, then when I get on the court, let's go. You know me, soon as you cross the line, like it's time to go. And so, I don't want him to be adorable out there on the floor. I want him to be getting every rebound, running the floor, dunking on everybody. But he's put himself in a position to have a chance to be a major contributor this year, and it's because of his hard work and dedication, and he's well deserving of it.

Q: Do you think he feels any pressure to step into a bigger role with Armando Bacot gone?

A: No, I think all these guys are excited about the opportunity to get more minutes and play a bigger role. This is why you come to Carolina, because you want to be on the biggest stage and at the highest level and have an opportunity to be able to contribute. And so, I don't think any of our guys get nervous or shy away from that. I think they do the exact opposite. I think they step towards it.

Q: Do you think Cade Tyson could play the role of a small ball '4'?

A: That's a possibility. One of the many things that I do like about this team is the versatility of this team, in terms of lineups. Again, I don't compare players. I don't like, 'Let's get another Armando, or let's get another Harrison.' Harrison was Harrison, Armando was Armando. Cade at Belmont played a number of different positions, but, and I've said this before, that's what I recruit, and that's what I coach. It is positionless. I want guys to be able to make impact plays in many different areas on both ends of the floor. So, Cade at the '4', that's definitely a possibility that could be out there on the floor. Drake at the '4', that's a possibility that could be out there on the floor. Something that I really like about this team is that we could go big, we could go small, and I feel really good about that, as long as we can rebound. That's the key.

Q: You talked about Jalen Withers and how it took him a while to be comfortable here, how did he get to where he is now?

A: Just the consistency of stacking days, understanding the importance of discipline and details. What I mean by that is just always talking about making routine plays routine and understanding that the little things are what makes big things happen. Like talking on defense, boxing out, attacking the offensive class and making an easy play of offensive people knocking down free throws, different stuff like that. And so, from the first year to this year with Jalen Withers, I've seen growth in terms of stacking and consistent with more of those days. It's been really fun to see he's been playing at a really high level now.

Q: Have you ever had the chance to coach your kids in anything?

A: No, but I coach them in life. I'm their Dad.

Q: What's the dynamic been like when you have fathers and sons on the same team?

A: There hasn't been any dynamic. Obviously, you had Coach Lebo and Creighton Lebo, and now I have my son Elijah. He's my son who happens to be on the team this year.

Q: What has impressed you most with Drake Powell?

A: Just a number of things. For a guy to be as talented as he is, he is equally and probably even more humble. Just enjoys and loves being a part of a team. His athleticism and length from a defensive standpoint, is just off the chart. And talking about making impact plays in a number of different areas, he's somebody that checks boxes all over the place. And so, when you bring that type of level of player here, but brings in a team first, humble attitude, that's something that you always want. And I'm so glad that Drake is here.

Q: The group of transfers you bought in last season, you talked about how they were coming from teams that maybe they didn't have the type of seasons that they wanted. Do you feel the same way about certain transfers that you brought in this year? Do they have the same sense of urgency?

A: I want everyone to have that sense of urgency. I think that's the only way that you can play. That sense of urgency is not just in games. It's in practice. It's in individual workouts. It's in the weight room. A sense of urgency of being the best that you can be, and trying to tap out everything that you can on a day-to-day basis. And so I talked a great deal to the team about having a hunger and thirst and being the best you can be individually and as a team. That's something that's just an expectation, not just for a transfer but for everyone.

Q: Specifically with Cade Tyson, he was one of the first guys you guys signed from the portal over the summer. What was it that was attractive about him?

A: I always say that a basketball player is just really basic, but it is obviously we
like his ability to shoot the ball. His size, his ability to move with and without the basketball, his attacking the offense every practice. With his size, the versatility he can give from a defensive standpoint was also appealing. His ability to make impact plays on both ends of the floor and his ability to shoot. He's a basketball player, something that you really want to have.

Q: Was his brother involved in the process?

A: No, he wasn't. His brother was not involved in the process at all, but I'm a huge fan of his brother. I never liked playing against him, but for him, just, you know, his hard work and work ethic, it's the same with Cade.

Q: In the next few months they're going to decide whether to fully renovate this place or build a new place. What were your general thoughts?

A: I will say this. I love every day walking into this building and it says the Dean E. Smith Center. I love that, and that's all I'll say.

Q: Looking at RJ Davis, what are some ways that you kind of see him acting as that leadership in practice and outside of practice?

A: Well, obviously, on the court, one of the things that I always tell the guys is that I want them to be leaders, but I want them to be leaders within their own personality. RJ is not the 'Rah, Rah' type of personality guy. He's gotten better at that more every year, so he continues to do that. But in terms of leadership by example, it's off the chart. The way that he prepares, the way that he practices, the way that he puts himself in a position during practice to be the best that he can be. I can't think of a better example to watch than him.

Then, off the court, I call him a connector, a gatherer, from the standpoint that he connects and gathers the entire team. So it can be really easy, as a fifth-year senior, to say, 'You know what, Drake and Ian and JB, they're freshmen. I'm going to be over here,' but no, he's with them. He's taking them out to breakfast, taking them out to lunch, and Seth, and all of them together, and it's really because of him. And so, I just think his impact off the court in building the team is really important to him, and it's even more important to him that this is his last year.

Q: Obviously, I know the Blue-White Game out in Cherokee is moving back here for obvious reasons. But wanted to just ask you the idea of that coming to fruition, and what made that thing you guys wanted to do?

A: A long time ago, when I was in school, after the season, we would do barnstorming, so we would go play games all around the state. And the reason why we would do it is not everybody had an opportunity to come to the Smith Center, so why not do that in the preseason? It gives us an opportunity to travel around the state, and for North Carolina fans to be able to see us that can't make it all the way down here in the Smith Center, and gives us an opportunity to compete and play in front of people. And I think that's always good for us, and so, yes, it's something that we try to do. We'll be here next Saturday, and that's something we will do in the future moving forward.

Elliot Cadeau media day University of North Carolina Basketball Dean E. Smith Center Chapel Hill, NC Friday, October 4, 2024

Elliot Cadeau media day University of North Carolina Basketball Dean E. Smith Center Chapel Hill, NC Friday, October 4, 2024

Player Quotes:

Elliot Cadeau (#3)
(On his daily routine with shooting) "...every day before practice is usually it's with Marcus (Paige), but since it's media day its kind of different. But, I usually work out with Marcus before practice and me Seth (Trimble) and Drake (Powell) shoot every day after practice."

(On his main focus on working on his three-pointer) "For me it's just been reps. We (with Marcus Paige) feel like my form is good, my balance, my eyes and everything are good, so it's just reps and confidence."

(On his confidence levels coming into the season with working on his shots) "I don't think It was really anything mechanical. It's just confidence and I feel like I have that now coming into the season."

Dante Mayo Jr (#30).:
(On his transition to playing this level of basketball and academics) "It's been a little rough, but it hasn't been too bad. I usually make time to study and get my work done and also get up shots here (in the Smith Center) and go to practice and do weights. So, it's not been too bad, but it has been a bit of an adjustment. This is a pretty good academic school, so we do get a lot of tough work, but it's nothing that I can't really handle."

Elijah Davis (#25)
"Lynchburg was great for me, you know, the last three years, but it just wasn't the place for me anymore. When I told my parents I wanted to transfer, my dad told me to wait until after the season was completed, and after that, we sat down and talked for multiple days. He talked to me about what it would mean if I came here, how much he needs me here, and how much he wants me here. I thought about it for a month, and I remember exactly where I was when I called him and told him, 'I'm coming to Carolina.' It was a really special moment for me.

"Coming out of high school. I knew it wasn't the right moment for me to come to Carolina. I needed to be away from Chapel Hill and really grow as a person and as a player, and so when I wanted to transfer, I really had to think about that same thing."

Cade Tyson (#5)
"I mean, just being a North Carolina kid, I hadn't been in Chapel Hill until my official visit, and so I really didn't know what it was all about. And then I got here and found out what it was all about. And, man, I wish I was a fan from day one. It's super special. The family atmosphere is huge. The history of the guys that have come through here is really awesome."

(When asked about the adjustment based on playing in the Dean Smith Center, particularly the lighting) "I definitely think it's a thing, but honestly, you can make all the excuses you want. You just gotta see the ball go in the hoop a couple of times, and you'll be alright. I've never played in an arena like this, this big, so I think I've got accustomed to it now. It took you a while to get used to the surroundings. But it was just kind of, you know, how the game works, so I try not to focus on it too much. Just keep doing what I'm doing, and it'll work out."

(When asked about his recruitment process and getting to Carolina) "I would definitely say I had a chip on my shoulder, especially seeing my brother go before me, and, you know, all the attention he got with, you know, committing high major. Then, you know, there were guesses about me on what was going to happen. So I'd say mainly the chip on my shoulder, which was most positive for me."

Ian Jackson (#11)
(On playing such a fast pace) "It's one thing to hear about it, and then you actually play these fast games. Coach Davis emphasizes that at practice every day and being a part of it is way different. It's way more hard than you think, but we're going to get it done, and that's how we like to play."

(On coming from New York City) "It's a tough game. You know, it's a lot of grit and, like, physicality during that game in New York. Hopefully we give that, we show that. But, you know, I've been playing that way for years, so hopefully, I bring that here."

(On playing with RJ Davis) "It's been for me, it's been great. Obviously, with the tremendous career he's had here, he understands what it looks like to play at a college level: how you're supposed to prepare, how you're supposed to get ready for things. So, I just learn as much as I can from him. I appreciate him even if we guys tease him in the locker room, out on the floor we appreciate him for sure. You know, he's a great player. He's unselfish, and we appreciate that for sure."

James Brown (#2)
"When we were having a bad practice when energy might have been able to be a little higher. RJ (Davis) kind of grabbed us around with a couple of other upperclassmen, and they kind of just told us, like, 'Yo, we've gotta pick it up.' We get to the point where it's getting kind of unacceptable for us not to have the right type of energy. And kind of motivated us a little bit. Ever since then, we have been able to get it together and pick it up, and we haven't had to have any of those kinds of discussions."

"I feel like all the returners and upperclassmen who have done a good job kind of welcoming, not just me, but the other freshmen and other newcomers, just doing little stuff like cracking jokes and trying to be funny. They are always trying to get us involved and get us to speak up. I'm kind of quiet, so I won't really be saying a lot in the locker room. So, they just, kind of just like making little jokes at me, like trying to get me to speak of stuff like that. Just kind of like bringing me and letting me know, like, be a family."

"My 'Welcome to College' moment was probably a couple of practices ago. I was playing against Jalen Washington, and he was going at it in the post, and he kind of hit me with a nice little move and shot a little turnaround over my right shoulder. I'm not really used to like people being, able to, like, shoot over me and nothing like that. So, he had a tough shot. And I was like, 'Wow, he's a good player who makes some good shots.'"

Ven-Allen Lubin (#22)
"So, when I see that Carolina was after me, I felt like it was gonna be a best fit, but also just wanted to seek out other options, but it was just a good feel when I came to visit them. I went to go talk to Coach Davis, and his plans for me and his vision for me that kind of aligned with mine."

(On what he sees his role for the season being) "Just being a powerful player on both ends of the floor, you know, defensively, offensively. Being able to make the right plays every time. And on defense just trying to be as active as possible, whether it's just grabbing rebounds, you know, blocking shots, or even just creating plays by driving. Putting a ball in the basket or just finding open guys, you know. So, we got a lot of guys who can play the game, you know, the right way. And so, it's gonna be a great fit for all of us to play together and put the pieces together."

"I think that we have like similar mindset of just going out there and just compete, but when it's against us, you know, we just remind ourselves like 'Hey we're trying to compete, we trying to be better.' No matter what happens, this season, as long as you know that we continue to push each other and get better, and just focus on that."

Seth Trimble media day University of North Carolina Basketball Dean E. Smith Center Chapel Hill, NC Friday, October 4, 2024

Seth Trimble media day University of North Carolina Basketball Dean E. Smith Center Chapel Hill, NC Friday, October 4, 2024

Seth Trimble (#7)
"It's just a comfort thing, a confidence thing. And I mean, I guess saying enough is enough. It's time to show who I know I can be, who I know I am. You guys haven't seen it, and I know it's been there, so it's just a matter of just showing it."

(On differences between this year's team and last year's team) "I mean, much faster. I mean, much faster. We were a fast team last year, but I really think we'll be much faster."

RJ Davis media day University of North Carolina Basketball Dean E. Smith Center Chapel Hill, NC Friday, October 4, 2024

RJ Davis media day University of North Carolina Basketball Dean E. Smith Center Chapel Hill, NC Friday, October 4, 2024

RJ Davis
"I like to lead in my own way. I'd like to lead in the way I know how to whether it's by example or by being vocal."

(On his legacy at Chapel Hill) "I would just like to look at my legacy of how I impacted the community and this program, not just as an athlete, but as a person. I feel like life is bigger than basketball, so any takeaways I could leave, and just in terms of how I left my legacy, in terms of making an impact on my teammates or my coaching staff, just anybody. It goes beyond wins and losses."

Jae'Lyn Withers media day University of North Carolina Basketball Dean E. Smith Center Chapel Hill, NC Friday, October 4, 2024

Jae'Lyn Withers media day University of North Carolina Basketball Dean E. Smith Center Chapel Hill, NC Friday, October 4, 2024

Jae'Lyn Withers (#24)
(On how last season ended) "I think it's a good thing, and it's a bad thing with just how the season ended. Having all the seniors and older guys having to leave us, but I think it's also a good thing, because it gave me some more fuel to the fire. You know, it made me want to work harder than I did last year, and again, make it to where those shots or those plays aren't really questions."

(On how he changes his routine this year compared to other years) "I didn't really change much. I would say the one thing I might have added more in or more of will probably be, probably be ball handling. Outside of that is just more reps from three for sure."

Jalen Washington media day University of North Carolina Basketball Dean E. Smith Center Chapel Hill, NC Friday, October 4, 2024

Jalen Washington media day University of North Carolina Basketball Dean E. Smith Center Chapel Hill, NC Friday, October 4, 2024

Jalen Washington (#13)
"It's really about being in the best shape possible, to be able to give that energy and then just bring out that competitive energy. Because, you know, once you get past, you know, being tired and all that, you can really fall in love with playing in the game, and that's when my competitive spirit comes out the most."

(On getting used to playing with new incoming players) "It's just reps, a lot of reps, and communication. The biggest thing is just talking it out. Just, you know, it's basketball. You practice basketball every day, then you're going to get better at basketball every day. So but the more that we practice and we get used to playing with each other, the better it will be."

Drake Powell (#9)
(On the fact that both of his parents attended UNC and how that influences his attitude) "It plays a big part. Obviously, I'm making a story for myself, but I definitely want to please them."

Players Mentioned

Armando Bacot

James Brown

Elliot Cadeau

Elijah Davis

RJ Davis

Ian Jackson

Creighton Lebo

Ven-Allen Lubin

Drake Powell

Seth Trimble

Cade Tyson

Jalen Washington

Jae'Lyn Withers

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