Jae’Lyn Withers Reveals Plans for Future with UNC Tar Heels.
The Tar Heels received encouraging news on Thursday when senior forward Jae’Lyn Withers announced his decision to take advantage of his extra year of eligibility and return to North Carolina for another season.
In the 2023-24 season, Withers played an average of 12.4 minutes per game, contributing 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per contest while shooting at an impressive 53.5% accuracy. With key guard players like reigning ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis already set to return, North Carolina faced a shortage in the frontcourt following the departures of Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram from the program.
Though Withers may not directly replace the contributions of Bacot and Ingram, his four years of collegiate experience make him a valuable asset to the team.
While Head Coach Hubert Davis still has roster spots to fill, Withers’ decision to return alleviates one area of concern for a team currently tied for the fourth-best odds to win the NCAA Tournament (+1600) at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Withers notably delivered an outstanding performance in UNC’s tournament-opening victory against No. 16 Wagner, scoring 16 points on seven shots and grabbing 10 rebounds, marking his second double-double of the season. His versatility was evident as he also contributed three assists and a steal, showcasing the potential for expanded responsibilities in the upcoming season.
Withers spent his first three collegiate years at Louisville, where he posted averages of 10.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in his freshman season. Although he hasn’t matched those numbers since, he remains a player capable of filling up the stat sheet given the opportunity.
While it remains uncertain whether Withers will secure a starting role, it’s reasonable to expect him to compete for one as the new season approaches.
