Hubert Davis to Get Rare Courtside View of Top Recruits at USA Basketball U19 Camp
North Carolina men’s basketball head coach Hubert Davis is preparing for an elite opportunity that could significantly influence the Tar Heels’ future recruiting fortunes. Next month, Davis will travel to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he’ll serve as a court coach during one of the most prestigious offseason events in amateur basketball — the 2025 USA Basketball Men’s U19 National Team training camp.
Set to begin on June 14, the camp is a key step in assembling the United States’ roster for the upcoming 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Switzerland. The gathering will draw together 33 of the nation’s top high school prospects, each of whom is vying for a spot on the team that will represent the United States on the international stage.
For Davis and his North Carolina program, this assignment is more than a professional honor — it’s a unique and highly strategic recruiting opportunity. As one of three designated court coaches at the training camp, Davis will work directly with many of the country’s most coveted young players. The on-court role allows him to instruct, interact with, and evaluate elite high school talent in an intimate and competitive environment that few college coaches ever get to experience.
This year’s event is expected to be especially significant for UNC’s recruiting efforts. Several of the top players invited to the U19 camp are high-priority targets for the Tar Heels, particularly from the class of 2026. Among the most notable names on that list are Cameron Holmes of Arizona, Caleb Holt of Georgia, Deron Rippey Jr. of New Jersey, and Taylen Kinney, also from Georgia. Each of these standout guards already holds a scholarship offer from North Carolina, and each is considered a potential game-changer at the college level.
Cameron Holmes, widely regarded as one of the premier guards in the country, brings a potent combination of athleticism and court vision that has drawn national attention. His ability to lead an offense while also defending multiple positions makes him an appealing fit for Davis’s system. Caleb Holt, another five-star prospect, has emerged as one of the most versatile wings in the 2026 class. Known for his scoring efficiency, defensive intensity, and leadership qualities, Holt’s presence at the camp is sure to draw plenty of eyes from coaching staffs around the country — including Davis’s.
Meanwhile, Deron Rippey Jr. and Taylen Kinney round out a group of guards who not only boast top-tier skill sets but also a level of maturity and upside that could anchor a backcourt at the collegiate level. Rippey is a dynamic playmaker with explosive speed and the ability to finish in traffic, while Kinney has developed a reputation as a crafty ball handler and a reliable perimeter shooter. With all four players already on UNC’s radar, Davis’s involvement in the camp offers a golden chance to deepen relationships and solidify the Tar Heels’ standing in their respective recruitments.
Joining Davis as fellow court coaches at the event are two other high-profile college head coaches: Nate Oats of Alabama and Mark Pope, the newly appointed head coach at Kentucky. The three will assist Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd, who is leading the USA U19 team this year, along with his selected staff. Together, the coaching team will guide the group of prospects through several days of practices, scrimmages, and evaluations as USA Basketball determines which players will make the final 12-man roster for the World Cup.
For Davis, now entering his fifth season at the helm in Chapel Hill, this assignment is part of a broader effort to keep UNC firmly in the mix for the nation’s best talent. Since taking over for Hall of Famer Roy Williams, Davis has emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with recruits early in the process — and few opportunities allow for more organic and sustained interaction than a USA Basketball training camp.
Rather than relying solely on highlight reels, tournament performances, or brief in-home visits, Davis will have the chance to coach these elite players directly. He’ll observe how they respond to instruction, how they carry themselves in a team setting, and how they compete when the stakes are high. It’s an insider view that could shape his evaluations and recruiting strategies for months to come.
Moreover, the camp offers a behind-the-scenes window into the personalities and work ethics of prospects — qualities that don’t always come across in traditional scouting formats. Davis will see which players communicate effectively, which ones lead by example, and which ones elevate the play of their teammates. This kind of information can be invaluable when determining cultural fit, a key consideration for a program like North Carolina’s, which prides itself on continuity, team-first mentality, and excellence on and off the court.
In the fast-moving world of college basketball recruiting, access and timing are everything. While every school in the country is chasing after top-ranked players, only a select few coaches will be in the gym with them during one of the summer’s most competitive and exclusive events. Davis’s court coaching role not only boosts his visibility with top recruits but also underscores the respect he commands in the broader basketball community. Being chosen for this role reflects his growing influence as a head coach and the prestige of the UNC program.
The broader impact of Davis’s participation may not be felt immediately, but it could prove pivotal in the months and years ahead. As these high school standouts begin to narrow down their college choices and schedule visits, personal relationships often tip the scales. The trust and familiarity built during a week of intense, hands-on coaching could give North Carolina a critical edge.
Additionally, this experience reinforces Davis’s longstanding connection with USA Basketball — a relationship that dates back to his own playing days and has continued through various coaching initiatives. The exposure to international competition, even indirectly, also helps him stay connected to emerging trends in player development and training that can benefit his work with the Tar Heels.
In a summer filled with AAU tournaments, unofficial visits, and grassroots showcases, the USA U19 camp stands out as a high-impact recruiting checkpoint. For Hubert Davis, it’s a chance to do more than just observe — it’s a chance to lead, connect, and compete, all while laying the groundwork for North Carolina’s future.
With the 2025 recruiting cycle gaining momentum and 2026 shaping up to be a critical class for the Tar Heels, Davis’s time in Colorado Springs could ultimately pay dividends far beyond this summer. As always in college basketball, the battle for top talent is relentless — but this June, Davis will be right in the middle of it, with a whistle in hand and a sharp eye on the future.
Hubert Davis to Get Rare Courtside View of Top Recruits at USA Basketball U19 Camp
North Carolina men’s basketball head coach Hubert Davis is preparing for an elite opportunity that could significantly influence the Tar Heels’ future recruiting fortunes. Next month, Davis will travel to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he’ll serve as a court coach during one of the most prestigious offseason events in amateur basketball — the 2025 USA Basketball Men’s U19 National Team training camp.
Set to begin on June 14, the camp is a key step in assembling the United States’ roster for the upcoming 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Switzerland. The gathering will draw together 33 of the nation’s top high school prospects, each of whom is vying for a spot on the team that will represent the United States on the international stage.
For Davis and his North Carolina program, this assignment is more than a professional honor — it’s a unique and highly strategic recruiting opportunity. As one of three designated court coaches at the training camp, Davis will work directly with many of the country’s most coveted young players. The on-court role allows him to instruct, interact with, and evaluate elite high school talent in an intimate and competitive environment that few college coaches ever get to experience.
This year’s event is expected to be especially significant for UNC’s recruiting efforts. Several of the top players invited to the U19 camp are high-priority targets for the Tar Heels, particularly from the class of 2026. Among the most notable names on that list are Cameron Holmes of Arizona, Caleb Holt of Georgia, Deron Rippey Jr. of New Jersey, and Taylen Kinney, also from Georgia. Each of these standout guards already holds a scholarship offer from North Carolina, and each is considered a potential game-changer at the college level.
Cameron Holmes, widely regarded as one of the premier guards in the country, brings a potent combination of athleticism and court vision that has drawn national attention. His ability to lead an offense while also defending multiple positions makes him an appealing fit for Davis’s system. Caleb Holt, another five-star prospect, has emerged as one of the most versatile wings in the 2026 class. Known for his scoring efficiency, defensive intensity, and leadership qualities, Holt’s presence at the camp is sure to draw plenty of eyes from coaching staffs around the country — including Davis’s.
Meanwhile, Deron Rippey Jr. and Taylen Kinney round out a group of guards who not only boast top-tier skill sets but also a level of maturity and upside that could anchor a backcourt at the collegiate level. Rippey is a dynamic playmaker with explosive speed and the ability to finish in traffic, while Kinney has developed a reputation as a crafty ball handler and a reliable perimeter shooter. With all four players already on UNC’s radar, Davis’s involvement in the camp offers a golden chance to deepen relationships and solidify the Tar Heels’ standing in their respective recruitments.
Joining Davis as fellow court coaches at the event are two other high-profile college head coaches: Nate Oats of Alabama and Mark Pope, the newly appointed head coach at Kentucky. The three will assist Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd, who is leading the USA U19 team this year, along with his selected staff. Together, the coaching team will guide the group of prospects through several days of practices, scrimmages, and evaluations as USA Basketball determines which players will make the final 12-man roster for the World Cup.
For Davis, now entering his fifth season at the helm in Chapel Hill, this assignment is part of a broader effort to keep UNC firmly in the mix for the nation’s best talent. Since taking over for Hall of Famer Roy Williams, Davis has emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with recruits early in the process — and few opportunities allow for more organic and sustained interaction than a USA Basketball training camp.
Rather than relying solely on highlight reels, tournament performances, or brief in-home visits, Davis will have the chance to coach these elite players directly. He’ll observe how they respond to instruction, how they carry themselves in a team setting, and how they compete when the stakes are high. It’s an insider view that could shape his evaluations and recruiting strategies for months to come.
Moreover, the camp offers a behind-the-scenes window into the personalities and work ethics of prospects — qualities that don’t always come across in traditional scouting formats. Davis will see which players communicate effectively, which ones lead by example, and which ones elevate the play of their teammates. This kind of information can be invaluable when determining cultural fit, a key consideration for a program like North Carolina’s, which prides itself on continuity, team-first mentality, and excellence on and off the court.
In the fast-moving world of college basketball recruiting, access and timing are everything. While every school in the country is chasing after top-ranked players, only a select few coaches will be in the gym with them during one of the summer’s most competitive and exclusive events. Davis’s court coaching role not only boosts his visibility with top recruits but also underscores the respect he commands in the broader basketball community. Being chosen for this role reflects his growing influence as a head coach and the prestige of the UNC program.
The broader impact of Davis’s participation may not be felt immediately, but it could prove pivotal in the months and years ahead. As these high school standouts begin to narrow down their college choices and schedule visits, personal relationships often tip the scales. The trust and familiarity built during a week of intense, hands-on coaching could give North Carolina a critical edge.
Additionally, this experience reinforces Davis’s longstanding connection with USA Basketball — a relationship that dates back to his own playing days and has continued through various coaching initiatives. The exposure to international competition, even indirectly, also helps him stay connected to emerging trends in player development and training that can benefit his work with the Tar Heels.
In a summer filled with AAU tournaments, unofficial visits, and grassroots showcases, the USA U19 camp stands out as a high-impact recruiting checkpoint. For Hubert Davis, it’s a chance to do more than just observe — it’s a chance to lead, connect, and compete, all while laying the groundwork for North Carolina’s future.
With the 2025 recruiting cycle gaining momentum and 2026 shaping up to be a critical class for the Tar Heels, Davis’s time in Colorado Springs could ultimately pay dividends far beyond this summer. As always in college basketball, the battle for top talent is relentless — but this June, Davis will be right in the middle of it, with a whistle in hand and a sharp eye on the future.
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