CHAPEL HILL — Seth Trimble finds himself in a unique position.
A senior guard for UNC basketball, Trimble is the Tar Heels’ first four-year player of the Hubert Davis era. With Armando Bacot and RJ Davis no longer in Chapel Hill as direct connections to Roy Williams, Trimble is embracing an enhanced role as the lone familiar face entering his final season. Asked about his role during a recent press conference inside the Smith Center media room, Trimble paused for several seconds as he smiled, shook his head and gathered his thoughts.
“My role,” Trimble said before a brief pause.
“Just being that guy, in hindsight. Being the guy that teammates can rely on. Being the guy when Coach Davis needs something, I can go get it. Whether it’s a defensive stop, it’s a rebound, it’s a game-tying bucket, whatever it is, just being that guy that Coach Davis can rely on. … Just being that guy.”
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound guard is surrounded by a revamped roster that includes 11 newcomers. But even as the unquestioned leader of this bunch, just because Trimble is willing to do anything and everything to help the Tar Heels, it doesn’t mean he should have to do anything and everything to help the Tar Heels.
In a season that featured more lows than highs and ended with UNC being bounced in the NCAA Tournament after a First Four victory, Trimble was a part of a roster that included a crowd of ball-dominant guards and no dominant big men. When asked about the lessons learned from last season, Trimble highlighted the importance of “unity” on and off the court and how to “battle through adversity.” With a group that appears to be better constructed from top to bottom, Trimble expects UNC to get back to its winning ways.
“I think we’ll be a much different team than the team I was on previously this past year, in good ways, of course,” Trimble said. “That’s very exciting, very helpful to see.” He added it only took about two weeks for the chemistry of the new group to be evident. It’s a squad that includes Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar, Colorado State transfer Kyan Evans, Alabama transfer Jarin Stevenson and five-star recruit Caleb Wilson as some of the primary pieces.
Three of those players are 6-foot-10 or taller, allowing Trimble the chance to avoid some situations that hindered the team last season. Because of his athleticism, toughness and skill as a defender, Trimble was often tasked with taking on some tough assignments on the interior against bigger players. With Veesaar, Stevenson and Wilson headlining a reloaded frontcourt, Trimble won’t have to battle in the paint as much, adding that the trio is “dynamic” with “a chance to do something really special this year.”
“It’s a blessing, it’s a blessing,” he said with a chuckle and smile.
“I still talk about it. I still tell them how thankful I am for them, ‘cause now I don’t have to guard guys that are 6’10, 240 or something like that. It’s a huge blessing. The thing about them to, they’re not just big, they have so many aspects to their game.”
Henri Veesaar, Kyan Evans, Hubert Davis impressed with Seth Trimble’s growth
Originally a starter before missing time with a concussion, Trimble averaged 11.6 points and 5 rebounds per game as a junior. Throughout the offseason, Trimble says, his focus was on expanding his game as a lead guard, honing in on handling, reading pick-and-roll coverages and shooting off the dribble.
“The way he goes downhill, I think we’re gonna complement each other so great,” Veesaar said.
“. … He’s an amazing passer off the pick-and-rolls. He sees the pocket pass really good – we have, all summer, worked on it. He’s very good at seeing lobs late. The bigs have to respect his athleticism, because he’s such a … he’s a freak athlete. He can dunk on anybody, if they’re 7-foot or not. They have to make a decision early.” During the transfer portal process, Veesaar and Evans said Trimble had a huge hand in getting them to join the Tar Heels.
“Seth was really intriguing to me when I was in the portal,” Evans said.
“. … I know he’s good, so you just want to really just surround yourself around other good players that you feel you can connect with and get better from. For sure, I just came here and seen him, and envisioned the backcourt with us being extremely good.” And beyond his ability as a basketball player, Trimble’s leadership has been a constant. If the Tar Heels are having trouble getting amped up in practice, Veesaar said, Trimble’s voice can be heard loud and clear.
“If we have a slow day at the gym, he’ll start clapping,” Veesaar said. “He’ll talk, he’ll get everybody energized. On the court as well, he’ll keep everybody to a higher standard. It’s like having another coach on the floor.” With no other key returners on the roster, Trimble knows he’s the guy everyone will be looking toward this season as a guide to doing what it takes to be a Carolina basketball player.
“In this era, to stay here for four years, I think speaks a lot. To enter the transfer portal and literally not be able to leave (in 2024), I think, speaks a lot,” Trimble said. “I mean, this university means everything to me. I’ve grown up a Carolina fan, my family’s grown up a Carolina fan. I’ve had support for all these years and I’ve just be able to grow as a man. … You can’t get all these things anywhere else.” Of all the roles he’s filled during his time at UNC, this one is his most important as the Tar Heels try to get back to reaching their standards. As Trimble said, they need him to be that guy.
“For him to stay at one institution is not normal, and his leadership has been off the chart this summer,” Hubert Davis said. “Not only verbally, but also just the way that he has led on the court in regards to extra workouts, conditioning, drill work, practice. It feels really good to have Seth be our leader of our team, and I’m so thankful that he’s here.”
