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The 2025-26 UNC basketball season is officially in the books. Today, we are continuing our player review series with forward Jarin Stevenson.
A lifelong Chapel Hill native who played his high school basketball at nearby Seaforth, Stevenson initially chose Alabama over the Tar Heels. Stevenson enjoyed a couple solid seasons in Tuscaloosa, including a Final Four run in 2024 when the Crimson Tide beat North Carolina, but he never reached his full potential.
What better team to boost your basketball career with, than the childhood team you grew up cheering for? Wanting to be part of UNC's promising, 2025-26 roster, Stevenson chose to return home in the transfer portal.
Stevenson started his time as a Tar Heel coming off the bench, but his versatility quickly earned himself a regular starting spot. Stevenson has the length and height to defend anyone, whether on the perimeter or in the post. Stevenson can make threes, pull down rebounds or slam home thunderous dunks.
When an injury prematurely ended Caleb Wilson's freshman season, Stevenson found himself playing close to the full game. Stevenson rose to the challenge, playing a minimum 30 minutes in eight of North Carolina's final nine games.
Stevenson scored a career-high 19 points in UNC's 79-65, Valentine's Day win over Pitt. 17 days later, Stevenson recorded his first game with double-digit rebounds (10), a 67-63 victory against Clemson.
With Wilson recently declaring for the NBA Draft, plus Henri Veesaar possibly leaving, Stevenson's path to a full-time starting role in the 2026-27 season is crystal-clear.
Let's re-visit Stevenson's junior campaign, while also looking ahead to his senior one.
2025-26 stats: 8.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists per game, 47 percent field goal shooting in 33 games (25 starts)
Stevenson is too good to come off the bench, but with a deep frontcourt like UNC's, Stevenson had no choice but to start his junior season as a reserve.
As Hubert Davis played around with his lineups, Stevenson progressively experienced more playing time. Stevenson delivered, consistently playing 25 minutes per game, with double-figure scoring outings a commonality.
Stevenson proved he can produce as a full-time starter at the Power Four level, something Alabama didn't value as much with his skillset.
With one season of eligibility remaining – and fresh off the best of his collegiate career – Stevenson likely runs it back for one final season at UNC.
Should Stevenson decide to return, he'll be the centerpiece of a new-look frontcourt. Veesaar may return, while Zayden High likely comes back.
Stevenson wants to play in the NBA – and staying at North Carolina is his best chance to do so.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Jarin Stevenson 2025-26 season in review
Continue reading...
A lifelong Chapel Hill native who played his high school basketball at nearby Seaforth, Stevenson initially chose Alabama over the Tar Heels. Stevenson enjoyed a couple solid seasons in Tuscaloosa, including a Final Four run in 2024 when the Crimson Tide beat North Carolina, but he never reached his full potential.
What better team to boost your basketball career with, than the childhood team you grew up cheering for? Wanting to be part of UNC's promising, 2025-26 roster, Stevenson chose to return home in the transfer portal.
Stevenson started his time as a Tar Heel coming off the bench, but his versatility quickly earned himself a regular starting spot. Stevenson has the length and height to defend anyone, whether on the perimeter or in the post. Stevenson can make threes, pull down rebounds or slam home thunderous dunks.
When an injury prematurely ended Caleb Wilson's freshman season, Stevenson found himself playing close to the full game. Stevenson rose to the challenge, playing a minimum 30 minutes in eight of North Carolina's final nine games.
Stevenson scored a career-high 19 points in UNC's 79-65, Valentine's Day win over Pitt. 17 days later, Stevenson recorded his first game with double-digit rebounds (10), a 67-63 victory against Clemson.
With Wilson recently declaring for the NBA Draft, plus Henri Veesaar possibly leaving, Stevenson's path to a full-time starting role in the 2026-27 season is crystal-clear.
Let's re-visit Stevenson's junior campaign, while also looking ahead to his senior one.
2025-26 stats: 8.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists per game, 47 percent field goal shooting in 33 games (25 starts)
Jarin Stevenson season in review
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Stevenson is too good to come off the bench, but with a deep frontcourt like UNC's, Stevenson had no choice but to start his junior season as a reserve.
As Hubert Davis played around with his lineups, Stevenson progressively experienced more playing time. Stevenson delivered, consistently playing 25 minutes per game, with double-figure scoring outings a commonality.
Stevenson proved he can produce as a full-time starter at the Power Four level, something Alabama didn't value as much with his skillset.
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With one season of eligibility remaining – and fresh off the best of his collegiate career – Stevenson likely runs it back for one final season at UNC.
Should Stevenson decide to return, he'll be the centerpiece of a new-look frontcourt. Veesaar may return, while Zayden High likely comes back.
Stevenson wants to play in the NBA – and staying at North Carolina is his best chance to do so.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Jarin Stevenson 2025-26 season in review
Continue reading...
