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Stepinac grad R.J. Davis is next in line at UNC
R.J. Davis will join a stacked 2020 men’s basketball recruiting class at the University of North Carolina next season. (Courtesy: @ariidavis_/ Instagram)

Stepinac grad R.J. Davis is next in line at UNC

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (BVM) — R.J. Davis had some big things planned coming into his senior season. In October, the Archbishop Stepinac guard decided to commit to the University of North Carolina (UNC). With a college decision made, the senior guard looked to finish off his high school career on a high note.

Davis was a top-recruit early on at Stepinac, garnering attention from some of the top Division I programs. The four-year starter’s impact on the court was felt early on, as the sophomore guard helped lead the Crusaders to a Class AA title over South Shore.

In his senior year, the 6-foot-1 guard averaged 26.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists. With help from Davis’ ability on both sides of the floor, the Crusaders held an 18-9 record. Their hopes of winning the CHSAA Class AA championship would be cut short before their quarterfinals match-up because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although Davis was unable to finish out his final season, the senior guard was rewarded for his stellar year bringing home some of the top awards in the state. His work on and off the court helped him secure the Gatorade New York Boys Basketball Player of the Year award.

One of the coaches who went up against Davis in his 2019-20 season talked about some of the things that make him so special in a Gatorade press release.

“R.J. Davis is an exceptional basketball player,” Monsignor Scanlan High coach Dwayne Mitchell said. “He’s great at getting to the basket and either getting a layup or drawing a foul, and he’s also a really good 3-point shooter. He’s a great student-athlete and his teammates love him.”

Not only was Davis named Gatorade State Player of the Year, but the star senior became the first Stepanic player to ever win New York’s Mr. Basketball honor. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Davis talked about what it meant to win the award.

“Coming into my senior year, I wanted to complete some of my goals and for me to achieve one of the big ones, Mr. Basketball, is something special,” Davis said. “I’m very fortunate and grateful and now there is more work to be done and more accomplishments to tackle.”

With his high school career now behind him, Davis will look to make an impact early on at UNC. The Tar Heels are coming into next season with a stacked 2020 recruiting class featuring the likes of Walker Kessler, Day’Ron Sharpe, and Caleb Love. Davis will look to compete for the opening at his position, as UNC’s lead guard from last season, Cole Anthony, will likely be a top pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.