CHAPEL HILL — UNC basketball guard Seth Trimble is a business owner.
Welcome to college basketball in 2025. Head coach Hubert Davis didn’t believe it initially, but his 21-year-old senior leader is the youngest franchisee of a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop on Franklin Street. Trimble made the announcement Aug. 31 with an Instagram post.
“I didn’t think it was real. I thought it was, what is it? Chat GPT and AI. I didn’t think it was real, but I’m really happy for him. We talked a little bit about it a couple of days ago, but and I did joke with him about, did he have dairy-free options for people like me, and he said he did. … This is something that he wanted to do,” Davis said during a recent press conference.
“And I’ve always told the guys this, that in their bag, and they always talk about what’s in my bag, basically from an offensive standpoint. But I say that you guys have been blessed with so many gifts and talents. Basketball is not your identity. It’s not who you are.
It is just something that you do and that you have a number of gifts and talents in your bag. And I think it’s really exciting to see Seth do something outside of basketball that could be a real encouragement to other players.” That was always the plan for Trimble, the first four-year player of the Davis era and someone who has been committed to the Tar Heels beyond basketball and the Smith Center.
“NIL just keeps expanding, keeps growing and more opportunities keep coming for the players like me. It’s just something I’ve always thought about. I always wanted to be more than a basketball player. Entrepreneurship has always been in my head. My parents have set a great way for me, set a great path for me just to follow.”
Trimble also hopes to use his new venture to honor former UNC coach Roy Williams, who led the Tar Heels to a trio of national championships.“It’s super cool. It’s more than a blessing to be able to call myself a franchise owner, especially in the position I am. Just trying my best to set my own path, be my own person and set an example for athletes to come,” Trimble said during a press conference on Sept. 17.
“I’m trying to get Coach Roy (Williams) a flavor here on Franklin Street. That’s the one thing I really want to do,” Trimble said. “I think he’s earned it. I think he’s done enough to get himself a flavor. He’s great to my family, he’s great to this university. I want to try to do that for him. I gotta talk to corporate, so we’ll see what they say.”
But as for the work itself at the ice cream shop, don’t expect Trimble to get out of bed late at night to fix any equipment.“I think my dad will take that hit,” Trimble said with a smile. “. … I’m gonna stay asleep. Basketball’s more important.”
