ESPN REPORT: Tar Heel Legend R.J. Davis Named Greatest of All Time in College Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — June 8, 2025 — In a groundbreaking announcement that has stunned the basketball world, ESPN has officially named University of North Carolina star R.J. Davis as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in college basketball history. The declaration follows a months-long comprehensive analysis and fan vote that saw Davis edge out some of the sport’s most iconic figures—including Diana Taurasi (UConn), Cheryl Miller (USC), and Lynette Woodard (Kansas).
Davis, who concluded his historic college career in 2024, rewrote the record books during his five seasons in Chapel Hill. The 6-foot guard from White Plains, New York, became UNC’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing legends such as Tyler Hansbrough and Phil Ford. He also led the Tar Heels to two Final Four appearances and an NCAA title in 2023, solidifying his legacy as one of the most clutch performers in March Madness history.
“This is surreal. I’ve always dreamed of being remembered, but to be called the GOAT? That’s beyond anything I imagined,” Davis said in an exclusive interview with ESPN. “To even be mentioned alongside Diana Taurasi, Cheryl Miller, and Lynette Woodard is a huge honor.”
Diana Taurasi, a three-time NCAA champion with UConn and widely regarded as the most dominant women’s player of her generation, placed second in ESPN’s ranking. Cheryl Miller, the transcendent USC forward who revolutionized women’s basketball in the 1980s, finished third. Lynette Woodard, the former Kansas star and first female Harlem Globetrotter, rounded out the top four.
ESPN’s panel of analysts cited Davis’s longevity, leadership, and statistical dominance as key factors in his selection. Over five seasons, Davis averaged 17.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, while shooting 39% from beyond the arc. He became the first player in ACC history to record 2,500 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, and 300 three-pointers.
“What separates R.J. Davis is his consistency, his will to win, and how he elevated his teammates,” said ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas. “He dominated in the game’s biggest moments.”
The announcement has sparked spirited debate across social media, especially considering that all the other finalists were women’s basketball icons. However, ESPN emphasized the inclusivity of its rankings, noting that the evaluation focused on collegiate accomplishments across eras and genders.
For Tar Heel Nation, the accolade adds another chapter to the storied legacy of UNC basketball.
“This isn’t just for me,” Davis said. “It’s for everyone who wore Carolina blue and everyone who believed.”
R.J. Davis: Tar Heel forever. GOAT forever.
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