North Carolina’s R.J. Davis shows Pitt why he’s one of America’s best players

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The question has just been posed to R.J. Davis, standing smack dab in the center of North Carolina’s locker room. But then you consider what he did Friday night, in North Carolina’s 72-65 ACC tournament semifinal win over Pitt — a victory that sends the Tar Heels to the conference title game for the first time since 2018 — and it’s hard to argue with his teammates’ assertion: a game-high 25 points, three rebounds, two assists … and most critically, two dagger 3-pointers in the last four minutes of a then-tied game. “ shown up the entire season.” But even amidst all those accolades, Davis has seemingly been unable to crack the 7-foot-4 ceiling on this year’s National Player of the Year conversation. What he’s doing as a 6-foot guard is equally as remarkable; as Ingram said, “can’t nobody stop him.” Pitt tried its hardest, throwing 6-foot-5 freshman guard Bub Carrington on Davis most of the first half. “In moments like that, it’s a huge luxury to know you can put the ball in our guard’s hands, and he’ll either make the shot or make the right play.” As soon as the final buzzer sounded, Rob Davis — wearing a shirt bearing his son’s resemblance — shot both fists straight up in the air, and screamed: “My guy!” It was loud enough for all of Capital One Arena to hear, a father’s pride cutting through thunderous applause.