As nearly three weeks have passed since North Carolina’s first-round NCAA Tournament exit against Ole Miss, Seth Trimble had remained silent about his future—until now. His decision to return might not come as a total surprise given the delay, but for UNC fans—already coping with the portal exits of Elliot Cadeau, Jalen Washington, and Ian Jackson—it’s a welcome sigh of relief.
In the midst of a turbulent transfer season for Hubert Davis and coaches nationwide, Trimble’s return carries weight. But the best way to describe it? Refreshing. In today’s college basketball world, staying four years at the same school is a rarity. Coaches and players often revisit their situations each offseason. But it seems Trimble, Davis, and new GM Jim Tanner were able to find common ground to bring the Wisconsin native back for his senior year.
So what does Trimble’s return mean for the Tar Heels?
The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 11.6 points and 5 rebounds this past season. Known as a defensive anchor in his sophomore year, Trimble made noticeable strides on offense as a junior. While consistency wasn’t always there, his flashes of scoring prowess gave UNC a much-needed spark. He also led the team in rebounding for much of the year and served as a do-it-all utility player on a team that struggled to find its rhythm.
Next season, expect his role to become more clearly defined. While he’s proven capable of playing all over the court, don’t expect to see him guarding 6-foot-9 forwards like Cooper Flagg again—thankfully. With UNC likely to bring in a transfer point guard, Trimble should slide comfortably into the 2 spot, while occasionally logging minutes at the 3. His exact role will depend on the style of point guard Davis lands—whether that’s a pass-first or scoring-minded addition.
With 6-foot-6 Jonathan Powell already committed and UNC actively pursuing more size, the wing positions could get crowded. But the backcourt remains relatively open, giving Trimble a prime opportunity. While it’s too early to predict a starting five, the shooting guard spot appears to be his to lose. To lock that down, he’ll need to take another step forward offensively—especially beyond the arc, where he shot just 26.6% from three last season.
Still, if his development from sophomore to junior year is any indication, there’s reason to believe he’ll continue trending upward heading into his final season.
As UNC works to retool its roster in the portal, having a familiar, battle-tested leader back in Chapel Hill offers some much-needed stability—and perhaps, a foundation for a bounce-back season.
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