The air in Chapel Hill is buzzing with anticipation as North Carolina men’s basketball gears up for a pivotal new season, and fans will get their first taste of the 2025-26 Tar Heels at the annual Blue-White scrimmage on Saturday, October 4. Scheduled to tip off about 60 minutes after the conclusion of the UNC-Clemson football game—which kicks off at noon—the scrimmage is free to attend and will be held on Roy Williams Court inside the Smith Center. For a program seeking to recapture the magic of its recent NCAA Tournament runs, this preseason showcase offers a crucial first look at a squad that many believe could be the deepest and most balanced of the Hubert Davis era.
This year’s Tar Heels have undergone a significant transformation. The roster features a blend of 11 newcomers, including three highly touted freshmen, several high-profile transfers, and key returnees, all anchored by senior guard Seth Trimble. The stakes are high for Davis and his staff, who are tasked with steering the program back toward consistency after the exhilarating highs of the 2021-22 national championship appearance and the Sweet 16 run in 2023-24, followed by seasons marked by roster turnover and uneven results. With a group that seems tailor-made for Davis’s offensive system, optimism is running high in Chapel Hill.
“This 2025-2026 roster features a handful of transfers, three freshmen and a few returnees that formulate maybe the best and surely deepest roster under Davis,” one report noted, underscoring the sense of promise and expectation swirling around the team. The Blue-White scrimmage, then, isn’t just a preseason formality—it’s the first real opportunity for fans and coaches alike to see how all these new pieces fit together.
All eyes will be on Seth Trimble, the senior guard and four-year veteran who is expected to step into a leadership role vacated by program stalwarts like RJ Davis and Armando Bacot. Trimble’s blend of on-ball defense, improved playmaking, and businesslike approach to the game make him a natural choice to guide this mostly new group. “Trimble has a chance to show he’s ready to take over as a lead guard with improved playmaking to aid his stellar on-ball defense,” observed Rodd Baxley of The Fayetteville Observer. With better shooters and a more balanced roster around him, the stage is set for what could be a special senior season.
But Trimble isn’t the only headline act. Five-star freshman Caleb Wilson, a 6-foot-10 forward, arrives on campus with sky-high expectations and legitimate NBA lottery buzz. Wilson, ranked as a potential Top 3 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, is touted for his versatility and defensive prowess as much as his scoring ability. “For the first time since 2019, UNC has a player on its roster expected to be a top-10 pick in the NBA Draft,” Baxley reported. Wilson’s athleticism and confidence could translate to highlight-reel moments in the scrimmage and beyond, and his development will be closely monitored throughout the season.
The intrigue doesn’t stop there. Luka Bogavac, a 22-year-old, 6-foot-6 guard from Montenegro, joins the Tar Heels after nearly 60 professional games in Europe’s ABA League. He averaged 14.9 points last season with SC Derby and is considered one of the top international additions in college basketball this year. “International transfer Luka Bogavac will be an interesting watch—seeing him get used to the style of play that differs a whole lot from what he was used to when playing for SC Derby,” observed another source. Bogavac’s size and experience could fill the void left by NBA first-rounder Drake Powell and give UNC a versatile weapon on the wing.
The frontcourt battle will be just as compelling. Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar, a 7-foot center from Estonia, represents the tallest Tar Heel since Walker Kessler in 2020-21. Veesaar brings both size and international experience, and his ability to anchor the defense will be tested by sophomore big men James Brown and Zayden High, who are both vying for key minutes at center. “It’ll be interesting to see sophomore bigs James Brown and Zayden High battle with Veesaar on the interior during the Blue-White scrimmage,” Baxley wrote, noting that depth at center could become a critical factor if Veesaar gets into foul trouble during the season.
On the perimeter, Colorado State transfer Kyan Evans is projected to be a main contributor with his knockdown shooting, while freshman Derek Dixon and Virginia Tech transfer Jaydon Young add further depth to the backcourt. Dixon, a 6-foot-5 combo guard from Washington, D.C., is praised for his two-way skills and could quickly carve out a role. Jaydon Young, meanwhile, brings scoring punch and ACC experience from his time with the Hokies. “Kyan Evans, Derek Dixon, Jaydon Young as new guards…will get their chance to make a positive first impression in the Blue-White scrimmage,” Baxley wrote.
Wings Jonathan Powell and Jarin Stevenson are also expected to play significant roles. Stevenson, a 6-foot-10 forward and Alabama transfer, helped the Crimson Tide reach the 2024 Final Four and brings both size and potential to the UNC lineup. Powell, a 6-foot-6 sophomore, is described as an underrated three-point shooter and rebounder, and both are likely to be key pieces this season.
The Blue-White scrimmage is more than just a chance for fans to evaluate new faces—it’s a critical step in building team chemistry and setting expectations for a challenging schedule. After the scrimmage, UNC will continue preparations with another fan event and scrimmage in Cherokee, North Carolina, on October 17-18, followed by exhibitions against BYU in Salt Lake City on October 24 and Winston-Salem State on October 29. The regular season tips off in early November against Central Arkansas, with marquee matchups against Kansas, Michigan State, Kentucky, and Ohio State on the horizon.
The Tar Heels’ non-conference schedule is loaded, and the ACC slate is as unforgiving as ever, with rivalries against Duke, N.C. State, and Virginia sure to test this new-look squad early and often. The challenge for Hubert Davis will be integrating so many new players while maintaining the high standards and traditions of Carolina basketball. “North Carolina will rely a good amount on senior Seth Trimble, but then it’s five-star freshman Caleb Wilson, who has the potential to become a Top 3 pick in next year’s NBA Draft,” one preview emphasized, highlighting the delicate balance between experience and youth that could define the season.
Meanwhile, the recruiting front brought a twist this week as 4-star small forward Cole Cloer, rated No. 27 in the 2026 class, canceled his official visit to UNC scheduled for October 4-5. Cloer had named UNC as a finalist just days prior, and his decision adds another layer of intrigue as the Tar Heels look to build for the future.
As the countdown to tip-off continues, Tar Heel fans have every reason to be excited. With a reloaded roster, a blend of seasoned veterans and blue-chip newcomers, and a coaching staff hungry to return to college basketball’s summit, this season promises to be anything but dull. The Blue-White scrimmage on Saturday will be the first glimpse of what could be a memorable campaign in Chapel Hill.
