University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Maggie Hobson
Lucas: Summer Pace
July 29, 2024 | Men's Basketball, Featured Writers, Adam Lucas
Wrapping up Carolina's eight summer practices.
By Adam Lucas
Summer practice is intense.
It's easy to imagine Carolina's eight summer basketball practices as a little more laid-back, especially after you've seen the photos of this weekend's team visit to the Outer Banks. The sun is out, smiles are abundant, the pace is slightly slower.
Except inside the Smith Center, where Hubert Davis never stops espousing his belief in playing fast.
"Pace!" he barks during almost every drill. "Purpose and pace!"
The previous summer practice update mentioned the Tar Heels occasionally used a 24-second shot clock to emphasize the need to get the ball upcourt quickly. They've also sometimes lowered it even more, to 20 seconds.
Davis also loves a three-man fullcourt drill that requires the Tar Heels to make 15 layups in 60 seconds. That might not sound like much, but it's extremely difficult to do while covering the full 94 feet with just one group of three going at once—one outlet pass to midcourt, where the recipient then fires it to a teammate racing down the wing.
Oh, and there is no dribbling allowed.
The drill requires complete concentration, because any missed layup makes it virtually impossible to finish the task in the allotted time.
In other words, yes, purpose and pace.
Summer wrapup: After two practices last week, the Tar Heels are on what passes for a break given the current college basketball calendar. Following three days at the Outer Banks and the conclusion of second semester summer school exams early this week, players and coaches—to a certain extent—get a couple weeks of freedom before classes begin on August 19.
With that timeline, and keeping in mind that it's still the summer and there is plenty of time before the season opener on November 4 against Elon, here's a quick rundown of something about each scholarship player that was noteworthy during the eight summer practices as a way to whet the appetite for this year's roster.
James Brown: The freshman has gotten pushed around some in the paint. But he hasn't once backed down and has worked extremely hard. There are some more experienced bodies in front of him on the depth chart, but it's easy to imagine a game somewhere on the schedule where having a 6-foot-9 freshman who plays hard pays dividends.
Elliot Cadeau: In at least three of the eight practices, there were moments when Cadeau's voice could be heard over everyone else. That's approximately three more times than ever happened during his freshman season. A more confident and comfortable Cadeau means a better Carolina team. And yes, his outside shot did look more smooth, and he'll continue to work on it between now and the start of the season.
RJ Davis: The bar is so much higher now for the ACC Player of the Year. Last year at this time when he created space for himself and sank a 17-footer, it was eyebrow-raising. Now it's just what you expect from RJ Davis. It will be fascinating to watch opponents decide how to use their best perimeter defender when faced with Cadeau, Davis and Ian Jackson.
Zayden High: The sophomore has had some impressive moments. He looks and plays more like a college basketball player this summer, as opposed to a high schooler trying to be a college player (as he sometimes did last season). When he's on the court, something is going to happen. He has the ability to be an asset for a team that needs size and rebounding.
Ian Jackson: The freshman can get his shot any time he wants it—and that includes some possessions against a defender like Seth Trimble. In a way that is just slightly reminiscent of Joseph Forte, it doesn't seem to matter where Jackson is on the court, because he is capable of creating offense from anywhere.
Ven-Allen Lubin: The Vanderbilt transfer's offensive rebounding metrics were impressive for the Commodores. It looks like those numbers will translate, as he's shown a knack for getting loose balls around the rim. Without a true center to create second chances, that will be an important part of Carolina's offense.
Drake Powell: I had never seen Drake Powell play basketball prior to pickup games in June. Now, he's one of my favorite players to watch on this year's team. He just does almost everything well. His shot is smoother than advertised. His athleticism makes him a versatile piece on both offense and defense. He constantly plays hard and never has much to say on the court, but doesn't appear to be scared of anyone. What a fun player to watch.
Seth Trimble: If Carolina had landed a versatile talent like Trimble in the transfer portal, it would have been a big story. His return from a temporary portal entry immediately gives Carolina one of the best perimeter defenders in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and it's been fun watching him go head to head with the Heels' talented guards. He's still continuing to gain the confidence that he can get to the rim almost any time he wants, and can finish the play when he arrives there.
Cade Tyson: Carolina's other transfer was advertised as a shooter and has looked the part. Multiple matchups with Luke Maye during practices have been a challenge but have also been a good prologue to what Tyson will face making the move from Belmont to the ACC.
Jalen Washington: We already knew the junior can shoot. This year, we're going to see him score in the paint. He isn't Armando Bacot, so there aren't going to be a ton of possessions when Carolina sets up Washington on the block and feeds him a bounce pass. But he'll still find a way to get points. The Heels will also need him to at least occasionally defend the other team's center without fouling.
Jae'Lyn Withers: There are moments when it's clear Withers can provide exactly what this team needs—a physical presence around the rim, the athleticism to make plays no one else can make, and a versatile defensive piece. Having a full year in the program should be beneficial in helping him understand the expectations and demands of playing at Carolina.
Summer practice is intense.
It's easy to imagine Carolina's eight summer basketball practices as a little more laid-back, especially after you've seen the photos of this weekend's team visit to the Outer Banks. The sun is out, smiles are abundant, the pace is slightly slower.
Except inside the Smith Center, where Hubert Davis never stops espousing his belief in playing fast.
"Pace!" he barks during almost every drill. "Purpose and pace!"
The previous summer practice update mentioned the Tar Heels occasionally used a 24-second shot clock to emphasize the need to get the ball upcourt quickly. They've also sometimes lowered it even more, to 20 seconds.
Davis also loves a three-man fullcourt drill that requires the Tar Heels to make 15 layups in 60 seconds. That might not sound like much, but it's extremely difficult to do while covering the full 94 feet with just one group of three going at once—one outlet pass to midcourt, where the recipient then fires it to a teammate racing down the wing.
Oh, and there is no dribbling allowed.
The drill requires complete concentration, because any missed layup makes it virtually impossible to finish the task in the allotted time.
In other words, yes, purpose and pace.
Summer wrapup: After two practices last week, the Tar Heels are on what passes for a break given the current college basketball calendar. Following three days at the Outer Banks and the conclusion of second semester summer school exams early this week, players and coaches—to a certain extent—get a couple weeks of freedom before classes begin on August 19.
With that timeline, and keeping in mind that it's still the summer and there is plenty of time before the season opener on November 4 against Elon, here's a quick rundown of something about each scholarship player that was noteworthy during the eight summer practices as a way to whet the appetite for this year's roster.
James Brown: The freshman has gotten pushed around some in the paint. But he hasn't once backed down and has worked extremely hard. There are some more experienced bodies in front of him on the depth chart, but it's easy to imagine a game somewhere on the schedule where having a 6-foot-9 freshman who plays hard pays dividends.
Elliot Cadeau: In at least three of the eight practices, there were moments when Cadeau's voice could be heard over everyone else. That's approximately three more times than ever happened during his freshman season. A more confident and comfortable Cadeau means a better Carolina team. And yes, his outside shot did look more smooth, and he'll continue to work on it between now and the start of the season.
RJ Davis: The bar is so much higher now for the ACC Player of the Year. Last year at this time when he created space for himself and sank a 17-footer, it was eyebrow-raising. Now it's just what you expect from RJ Davis. It will be fascinating to watch opponents decide how to use their best perimeter defender when faced with Cadeau, Davis and Ian Jackson.
Zayden High: The sophomore has had some impressive moments. He looks and plays more like a college basketball player this summer, as opposed to a high schooler trying to be a college player (as he sometimes did last season). When he's on the court, something is going to happen. He has the ability to be an asset for a team that needs size and rebounding.
Ian Jackson: The freshman can get his shot any time he wants it—and that includes some possessions against a defender like Seth Trimble. In a way that is just slightly reminiscent of Joseph Forte, it doesn't seem to matter where Jackson is on the court, because he is capable of creating offense from anywhere.
Ven-Allen Lubin: The Vanderbilt transfer's offensive rebounding metrics were impressive for the Commodores. It looks like those numbers will translate, as he's shown a knack for getting loose balls around the rim. Without a true center to create second chances, that will be an important part of Carolina's offense.
Drake Powell: I had never seen Drake Powell play basketball prior to pickup games in June. Now, he's one of my favorite players to watch on this year's team. He just does almost everything well. His shot is smoother than advertised. His athleticism makes him a versatile piece on both offense and defense. He constantly plays hard and never has much to say on the court, but doesn't appear to be scared of anyone. What a fun player to watch.
Seth Trimble: If Carolina had landed a versatile talent like Trimble in the transfer portal, it would have been a big story. His return from a temporary portal entry immediately gives Carolina one of the best perimeter defenders in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and it's been fun watching him go head to head with the Heels' talented guards. He's still continuing to gain the confidence that he can get to the rim almost any time he wants, and can finish the play when he arrives there.
Cade Tyson: Carolina's other transfer was advertised as a shooter and has looked the part. Multiple matchups with Luke Maye during practices have been a challenge but have also been a good prologue to what Tyson will face making the move from Belmont to the ACC.
Jalen Washington: We already knew the junior can shoot. This year, we're going to see him score in the paint. He isn't Armando Bacot, so there aren't going to be a ton of possessions when Carolina sets up Washington on the block and feeds him a bounce pass. But he'll still find a way to get points. The Heels will also need him to at least occasionally defend the other team's center without fouling.
Jae'Lyn Withers: There are moments when it's clear Withers can provide exactly what this team needs—a physical presence around the rim, the athleticism to make plays no one else can make, and a versatile defensive piece. Having a full year in the program should be beneficial in helping him understand the expectations and demands of playing at Carolina.
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