Why RJ Davis’ UNC basketball legacy is set, whether or not he returns for a fifth year

Four young North Carolina basketball fans waited outside of the tunnel at Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum, including one wearing a No. 4 jersey and another in a Tar Heels cheerleading outfit. They hoped to get a photo with their favorite player, RJ Davis.

The senior from New York gladly obliged, and was met with cheers. He gave them one more smile and wave before heading to the bus.

“We have enjoyed watching you so much,” one mother told him. “Thank you.”

That one moment summarized Davis’ career, and what he wants to be remembered for: using basketball as a conduit to positively impact others.

His legacy won’t be the 1,838 (and counting) career points, or the way he scored the most points (36) at the Smith Center since 2008. It’s not his 20-point scoring streak this season, or even the way he helped Carolina make a Final Four run in 2022. Those are part of what Davis will eventually leave behind, but they’re not all of it.

He’ll also — and perhaps most importantly — be remembered for the way he loves his family, his friends and the community, and his character.

“That’s something I haven’t really thought about; leaving a legacy not for myself but for the next generation,” Davis said. “I’ve got to continue staying humble and knowing what got me here: That was working hard and staying down through it all…I’m going to enjoy this moment and stay present but at the same time be the true leader I know I can be.”

The character of a leader

Davis held an ice pack to his right eye, surrounded by cameras and microphones after the Tar Heels’ 93-84 win over Duke on Feb. 3.

The senior collided with Blue Devils sophomore forward Kyle Filipowski several times, but spoke positively about his opponent in post-game interviews, saying Filipowski apologized and said he thought the plays were unintentional.

He could have criticized his opponent. No one would’ve blinked an eye, especially in a highly-emotional rivalry game.

That’s the kind of character his parents, Robert and Venessa Davis, raised him to have — one of respect, positivity and kindness.

“I’ve always said if he were not my kid, I would think, ‘Wow, this is such a great kid; such a nice young man,’” Venessa said. “He’s very pleasant and very easy.”

Davis’ personality is a good mix of his parents. He’s a little sillier than his mother, but he’s not quite as extra as his dad, and loves joking around. There’s a sense of gratitude for being alive, and a desire to make other people’s days happier.

Plus, he’s stepped into a larger leadership role on the team. He wants to be a good example for others. Head coach Hubert Davis said the biggest area of RJ Davis’ growth comes is in his vocal leadership.

“I’ve never seen him as vocal, in terms of talking to guys and getting everybody on the same page, on and off the court, during practice,” Hubert Davis said in December. “If things aren’t going well, whether in a game or practice, he’s talking in the huddles. His communication and his comfort level and confidence — being able to have a voice within his own personality — has been a major difference. I love it. I’m glad that he feels comfortable and confident enough to be able to do that this year.”

Starting early

About 20 years ago, Robert drove the family car and Venessa traveled in the passenger seat. RJ sat in his car seat, chubby hands holding onto a bottle.

Clunk.

Venessa looked at the object that flew from the back seat — the bottle. She looked at RJ.

“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is dangerous,’ but, also, ‘This kid is really strong and has quite an arm,’” Venessa said.

Early signs of athletic inclination continued through his toddler years. RJ played with tennis balls, baseballs, and got into everything as soon as he could walk. He slapped tables, ran around the house, and Venessa can’t forget the time he gave her a bloody nose when playing together.

His seemingly-never-ending energy led to an early multi-sport career, when he played basketball, T-ball, flag football and soccer — all before middle school.

RJ swapped out flag football for tackle football, and soccer for lacrosse until the seventh grade. His affinity for basketball, however, showed up early. Robert knew his son had legitimate talent by third grade.

“I kept him in as much as I could. He loved it,” Robert said. “I didn’t push him at all, but it got a little too much.”

‘It’s all about the heart’

Weasels are known for their ferocity and predatory nature, despite their small and slender builds. They’re also the animals to which Venessa lovingly compares her son.

At 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, he might not look like the guy hitting shots through double teams or fighting for rebounds against opponents with 100 pounds and 12 inches on him.

He’s always been like that, though — smaller than most with an unexpected intensity.

RJ competed with the New York Gauchos, an AAU team located in the Bronx and roughly 20 minutes south of White Plains. He was often one of the smallest players on the court, but that didn’t stop him from making shots and pulling down rebounds.

The senior credited his time with the Gauchos for his long-term success, teaching him fearlessness and resilience. In fact, Robert recalls the way his son “stuck his nose in” with the larger boys and maneuvered himself to make important plays. It’s a trait that shines through regularly from Carolina’s third-leading rebounder.

“It doesn’t matter the size of the team, it’s all about the heart,” RJ Davis said on Dec. 4. “Always have that mindset of going at people. Be the aggressor and don’t back down. It could be someone highly ranked, it could be someone who’s 6-7, but heart’s always going to win.”

Robert holds the scoring record at Mercy College in New York (2,118 points) — he did it without a 3-pointer — but he never expected or required RJ to play. It came naturally.

“I love it, because all my seven brothers played basketball,” Robert said. “We enjoyed watching him play. He stuck with it, I kept working with him, and he never gave up. I was hard on him, and he got better. Everything else fell into place. It was a blessing and a joy watching him.”

Always a family guy

The Three Stooges — RJ, his younger brother, Bryce, and their cousin, Chris — sat in the back of an old GMC, a row of seats folded down to accommodate a mattress. The trio spent years laughing, playing games and resting during road trips as Robert drove around the country for AAU games.

Their trips included stops at McDonald’s and Waffle House, too.

Other days were spent at the Davises’ home. One of the parents went to practice and came back with a “truckload of kids.”

They hosted sleepovers with the team, spent warm summer evenings with the fellow AAU families and watched how simple hangouts turned into impromptu basketball games they uploaded to Facebook. Those were the days.

“I was really sad to see it go when that phase in our life passed,” Venessa said. “It was a huge transition because it was such a big part of his life, his development, his friendships and our friendships with other families. We’re still friendly with some of the folks in the group, but it was like a large extended family of extra love and extra kids.”

RJ’s life has changed dramatically since then, but his love of home and family hasn’t wavered.

He talks to his brother multiple times a week, often through the chat function of video games, and enjoys making the journey back to New York. The family sits around the dinner table and plays games on Friday nights.

Bryce and RJ enjoy carrying Diggy, the family’s 12-year-old Yorkie, around like a baby … that is when they’re not busy “harassing” the dog.

During the holidays, presents never appear under the tree until Christmas morning, after Santa’s delivery. The living room goes from bare to stuffed with presents. It might seem silly to some people, but they want to keep that magic alive.

There are so many positive memories that took place in that house, Venessa said she doesn’t think her sons would allow them to sell it. They’re sentimental.

“RJ always says, ‘I love our family.’ He just said that over the last break,” Venessa said. “That’s a huge compliment at his age that he still wants to be around his folks.

“We love our children, our children love their parents and love our unit. That’s more than we can hope for. I think it’s really going to take both of my boys pretty far in life, having a solid foundation.”

Embodying the Tar Heels brotherhood

Harrison Ingram leaned into the microphone after the team’s road win at Florida State, his voice just above a whisper.

“I won every single time in everything we did,” he said, breaking into a big grin.

RJ brought his love of people and ability to build relationships to Chapel Hill, and Ingram is a perfect example.

The Stanford transfer had one friend at UNC when he joined the Tar Heels. He didn’t know any players, aside from what he saw on game film, and had limited relationships with the coaching staff. RJ and Armando Bacot immediately took him in.

They added Ingram to the team’s group chat — none of which is publishable, he said — introduced him to their friends and spent time together. Their adventures included mini golf; go-karts; and nights on the couch watching sports, movies or playing video games.

“He’s a great guy; stand up guy,” Ingram said. “I’ve been here for seven months and he’s already one of my best friends, and I think we’ll be best friends for life.”

‘A front row seat’

Hubert Davis first saw RJ play on the AAU circuit and noted his potential. He told then-head coach Roy Williams the Tar Heels needed to take a closer look at the rising star.

UNC began recruiting him six years ago.

Fast forward to today. RJ played one season under Williams before his retirement. Then, UNC promoted Davis to the top job.

“We weren’t going to leave when Roy retired, but we knew (RJ) would be in good hands with Hubert,” Robert said. “I’m just glad he got the job.”

Nearly four years with the Tar Heels turned into a deeper relationship between the two; one where basketball is only part of it, and Hubert Davis’ pride for his player feels a lot like the pride he has for his own children.

RJ might’ve joined the program under Williams, but much of his legacy hinges on Davis’ belief in a boy and the development of a man.

“That’s what makes coaching fun; when you have those relationships for a long time,” Davis said last month. “You see the growth not only on the court but off the court. It just brings a lot of joy to a coach to have a front row seat to be able to see that.”

What Davis will leave behind

“RJ, RJ, RJ, RJ, RJ.”

The chorus rocked the Dean Dome with 44 seconds remaining in the Tar Heels’ Jan. 22 game against Wake Forest. He propelled the program to a 21-point lead over the Demon Deacons after trailing at the half.

Those cheers praised his 23-point second-half performance, and the team’s comeback.

But they also did something even more important: The chants validated all the late nights, early mornings and long road trips in the back of that old GMC. They celebrated the doubts, fears, struggles, and pushes to go from good to great.

RJ hasn’t decided if he’ll enter the NBA Draft or use his additional year of eligibility. He’s still got time to figure that out.

Regardless of his choice, the senior will leave an indelible mark on the University of North Carolina, the sport of basketball and everyone with whom he has interacted.

And as those chants rise again from the depths of the Dean Dome — as they are likely to do — the celebration won’t be for a singular performance.

Those cheers will honor past, present and future RJ Davis, and the type of person he’s become in Chapel Hill.