Imagine the heartbreak of a hometown hero choosing another team, only to return years later with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. That’s the story of Jarin Stevenson, the Chapel Hill native whose journey back to North Carolina has been nothing short of dramatic. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was his initial decision to join Alabama a mistake, or was it the necessary detour that led him back home?
In the summer of 2023, Stevenson’s commitment to Alabama sent shockwaves through the Carolina Blue community. A Seaforth High School standout and the son of a former Carolina women’s basketball player, Stevenson had long been considered a future Tar Heel. Yet, Alabama’s head coach Nate Oats convinced him to reclassify, skipping his senior year of high school to join the Crimson Tide a year early. For UNC fans, it was a bitter pill to swallow.
The sting only deepened when Stevenson’s Alabama teams defeated Carolina twice in two seasons. First, the Tide upset the No. 1 seeded Tar Heels in the 2024 NCAA Tournament in Los Angeles. Then, in a December matchup at the Dean Smith Center, Stevenson played a pivotal role in shutting down ACC Player of the Year R.J. Davis. At 6-foot-10, Stevenson towered over the 6-foot Davis, showcasing his defensive prowess. And this is the part most people miss: Despite these high-profile wins, Stevenson’s time at Alabama was far from perfect.
Across two seasons, Stevenson averaged just 5.3 points per game and saw declines in his three-point and free throw shooting percentages. Out of 74 games, he started only 22. His trip to the Final Four as a freshman and 53 team wins were impressive, but individually, Stevenson’s performance fell short of expectations. When he entered the transfer portal, one school was at the forefront of his mind: UNC.
‘I was definitely thinking about Carolina,’ Stevenson told reporters at the Smith Center. His return wasn’t just a second chance for him—it was also a redemption opportunity for UNC head coach Hubert Davis, who had missed out on recruiting Stevenson initially. This time, Davis wasn’t letting him slip away. ‘I’ve known Jarin and his family for a very long time,’ Davis said. ‘I’m so thankful he decided to come back here. He’s a great kid.’
Stevenson’s return adds another towering presence to an already formidable UNC roster. At 6-foot-10, he’s dwarfed by teammates like Henri Veesaar and Ivan Matlekovic, both seven feet tall, but his value lies in his versatility. Here’s the bold truth: Stevenson’s ability to guard big men in the paint and chase guards on the perimeter, coupled with his unique offensive skillset, makes him a Swiss Army Knife on the court.
‘I can do a lot of different things,’ Stevenson explained. ‘Whether it’s rebounding, knocking down threes, driving, or playing defense on multiple positions.’ Davis couldn’t agree more, joking, ‘Very hard to find that in your town.’
Stevenson’s most productive games at Alabama came when his three-point shot was falling. In the 2024 Elite Eight win against Clemson, he scored 19 points on 5-8 three-point shooting in just 25 minutes off the bench. Similarly, in a February 2025 game against Texas, he went 4-5 from downtown, scoring a career-high 22 points. However, Alabama’s offensive system under Oats limited Stevenson’s midrange game, a strength he’s eager to showcase at UNC.
‘I just wanna showcase a little more of my midrange game,’ Stevenson said. ‘Just feel more free.’ While he wouldn’t label his time at Alabama as uncomfortable, the joy he expressed when announcing his return to Chapel Hill speaks volumes. His comfort level is undeniably higher back home, where he’ll add a local flavor to a roster featuring players from Estonia, Montenegro, and even Kansas City.
Davis has long emphasized the importance of players with a ‘burning desire’ to elevate Carolina Basketball. Who better than a player who grew up minutes from campus? For fans disillusioned by the transfer portal era, seeing a Chapel Hill kid play at the Smith Center might reignite their passion for the game.
Stevenson is ready to recapture the magic that made him a high school phenom. And, as he jokingly pointed out, his parents are saving a lot of gas money. But the real question remains: Can Stevenson’s return spark a new era for UNC basketball? What do you think—is this the move that puts the Tar Heels back on top?
