The North Carolina Tar Heels have long been considered a college basketball “blueblood,” boasting six NCAA Championships and over a century of success. However, since their last title in 2017, things haven’t felt the same—especially following Roy Williams’ retirement in 2021. While Hubert Davis led the team to the National Championship game in his first season as head coach, they failed to make the tournament in the following years despite returning key players.
Now in 2025, North Carolina’s tournament hopes remain uncertain. In ESPN’s latest bracketology update from Joe Lunardi, the Tar Heels were listed among the “first four out.” RJ Davis, who returned for his final season with high expectations as a National Player of the Year candidate, has struggled to maintain his previous level of play. Looking for a fresh approach to revitalize the program, the Tar Heels have reportedly made a major front-office move.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, North Carolina is hiring longtime NBA agent Jim Tanner as the program’s new general manager. Tanner, a North Carolina graduate, brings years of experience representing high-profile NBA players such as Tim Duncan, Ray Allen, and Grant Hill.
With the increasing influence of NIL deals and the transfer portal in college basketball, Tanner’s role will allow Hubert Davis to concentrate more on coaching and strategy rather than roster construction.
As North Carolina prepares for the likely departure of its top two scorers to the NBA Draft, Tanner faces the challenge of reshaping a roster that could be on the brink of missing March Madness for the second time in three years.
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