Pelicans in Position to Draft Another Duke Star to Support Zion Williamson

The New Orleans Pelicans could soon reunite Zion Williamson with another former Duke standout.

Represented by Williamson—a 2018-19 Duke one-and-done and former No. 1 overall pick—at the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago, the Pelicans currently hold a single pick in the upcoming draft, scheduled for June 25-26 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. That pick falls in the mid-lottery range, which happens to align with the projected draft slots of Duke’s Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach, according to several mock drafts and big boards.

There’s growing speculation that New Orleans is eyeing one of those two prospects—this year’s only two NBA-bound Blue Devils outside of projected top pick Cooper Flagg. “I think the Pelicans are deciding between the two Duke guys — Kon Knueppel or Khaman Maluach — and I think they should take Kon,” Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 said during his post-lottery reaction.

Both Knueppel, a polished guard, and Maluach, a towering 7-foot-2 center, played major roles in Duke’s Final Four run alongside Flagg. They were the only two Blue Devils to start and appear in all 39 games this past season, logging over a quarter of the team’s total minutes between them.

If New Orleans selects one of them, it would restore a familiar dynamic for Williamson. Since entering the league in 2019, he had shared the court with at least one fellow Duke alum each season until Brandon Ingram was dealt to the Toronto Raptors in February.

Besides Knueppel and Maluach, Duke also has two other draft hopefuls—Tyrese Proctor and Sion James—projected as potential second-round picks. If all four are selected alongside Flagg, it would mark Duke’s first five-player draft class since 2022, when Paolo Banchero led the way in Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final season.

UNC Basketball Makes the Cut for the Elite Forward List

The UNC basketball staff has made the cut as one of the 15 finalists for five-star recruit Anthony Thompson, who revealed his list over the weekend.

Back in early January, Western Reserve Academy (Ohio) small forward Anthony Thompson received an offer from Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis and his staff. Now, nearly four months later, UNC remains firmly in the mix for the highly sought-after junior.

Thompson shared his top 15 schools on Friday via social media, naming UNC alongside BYU, Texas, Xavier, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Georgetown, Indiana, Auburn, Notre Dame, Purdue, Ohio State, Michigan State, and Michigan.

The 6-foot-8, 185-pound lefty narrowed down his list after collecting over 30 scholarship offers early in his recruitment for the 2026 class.

Currently, Thompson ranks No. 11 overall, No. 3 among small forwards, and is the top player in Ohio according to the 247Sports 2026 Composite rankings.

“Whenever Anthony Thompson is in the gym, it’s almost impossible to find a player with a smoother jump shot,” 247Sports analyst Eric Bossi recently said, highlighting Thompson’s versatility and impressive wingspan, which reportedly measures nearly 7-foot-3.

The Tar Heels have issued more than 10 offers so far in the 2026 cycle and continue to be serious contenders for most of their top targets.

The Biggest Question Facing Hubert Davis, UNC Basketball Ahead of the 2025–26 Season

As the 2025–26 season approaches, UNC basketball stands at a pivotal crossroads.

The program has made strides under head coach Hubert Davis, remaining competitive in the ever-evolving landscape of college basketball. But with the calendar turning to May, one glaring question looms over Chapel Hill: Who will step up in the backcourt now that R.J. Davis is gone?

The Tar Heels are entering a new era without the player who, for the past four seasons, was the heart and soul of their offense. R.J. Davis didn’t just play a lot of games — he rewrote the record books. Finishing his career with 2,725 points, he leaves as the second-leading scorer in UNC history and third all-time in the ACC. His leadership, clutch shot-making, and relentless scoring made him the steadying force on a roster that saw its share of turnover during the transfer portal era. Now, with Davis gone, UNC is left searching for both production and identity in the backcourt.

A Numbers Game — And a Talent Gap

On paper, the Tar Heels have depth at the guard position heading into 2025–26. Six guards are currently committed to the roster. But together, they’ve totaled only 1,648 points in their college careers — over 1,000 fewer than R.J. Davis alone. That statistic underscores the uncertainty UNC faces.

Elliot Cadeau, a rising sophomore, showed flashes of brilliance during his freshman campaign and could be in line to assume a larger role. Known for his playmaking and quickness, Cadeau was inconsistent at times but has the upside to become a dynamic lead guard. Whether he’s ready to be “the guy” offensively remains a question. His scoring must take a leap if he’s to fill Davis’ shoes — or at least part of them.

Also returning is Seth Trimble, a defensive-minded combo guard who brings toughness and athleticism but hasn’t proven himself as a high-volume scorer. Freshman Ian Jackson, a five-star recruit from New York, brings offensive firepower and swagger, but like any first-year player, he’ll face a steep learning curve in the ACC.

Then there are the transfers and role players. Zayden High could contribute in a hybrid role, and other bench guards might emerge, but none come close to offering the proven production Davis brought night in and night out.

Leadership Void

Beyond the stats, Davis’ departure leaves a leadership vacuum. He was a stabilizing presence through coaching changes, early tournament exits, and rebuilding seasons. He understood the program’s culture and carried the weight of expectations with grace. Hubert Davis now has to find a new on-court leader — someone who can command the locker room, inspire younger players, and set the tone in pressure moments.

This transition isn’t just about points per game; it’s about trust. Who will Hubert Davis trust to take the final shot? To steady the team during a scoring drought? To keep emotions in check on the road at Cameron Indoor or in March when everything is on the line?

The Pressure Is Mounting

For Hubert Davis, the pressure is as real as it’s ever been. While he led UNC to a national title game in 2022 and has recruited well, expectations in Chapel Hill are relentless. UNC fans don’t just want to be good — they expect championships. That demand grows louder when Duke, NC State, and other ACC rivals are improving and when March Madness success remains elusive.

The 2025–26 roster has talent, but talent alone won’t answer the big question. Davis must build chemistry quickly, develop a new guard-centric offense, and hope one or more players blossom into stars. The margin for error is slim, and the ACC will be unforgiving.

Conclusion: A Defining Year Ahead

The upcoming season will be a defining one for Hubert Davis. Losing a generational player like R.J. Davis is never easy, but how the Tar Heels respond could shape the future of the program. Can Cadeau emerge as a lead guard? Will Ian Jackson live up to the hype? Is there a surprise breakout candidate in the wings?

More than anything, UNC must rediscover its identity — one that blends its rich history with the modern realities of roster turnover, NIL, and the transfer portal.

The biggest question facing Hubert Davis isn’t just how to replace R.J. Davis. It’s how to steer Carolina basketball into a new era without losing sight of what’s made it great.