
As the new school year began this week, the UNC men’s basketball program officially placed junior guard K.J. Smith on scholarship.
This news was announced Tuesday afternoon, just after Smith and the rest of the team made their returns to campus.
The son of former Tar Heel legend Kenny “The Jet” Smith–now a prominent NBA analyst on TNT–K.J Smith came to UNC as a walk-on transfer after spending his freshman season at Pacific.
Smith sat out the 2017-18 season due to NCAA transfer rules, before earning limited playing time off the bench in blowout situations last season–averaging 1.8 points per game.
Head coach Roy Williams awarded Smith his scholarship during a team meeting.
https://twitter.com/UNC_Basketball/status/1163890881729970176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1163890881729970176&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fnorth-carolina%2FArticle%2FUNC-basketball-KJ-Smith-Awarded-a-Scholarship-134616253%2F
Photo via Todd Melet
Related Stories
‹

K.J. Smith Joins On3 as National Basketball AnalystFormer UNC guard K.J. Smith revealed last week that he is following in the family footsteps, moving from a basketball career into a media career. Smith is joining On3.com as a National Basketball Analyst. His father — Kenny “The Jet” Smith — has been a longtime stalwart on TNT’s NBA coverage following a successful playing […]

Holding Court: Five Things To Know About Carolina's Coaching ChangeDavid Glenn shares five critical things to know about the end to Hubert Davis’ head coaching tenure at UNC and the search for his successor.
![]()
Hubert Davis' Time Leading UNC Men's Basketball is Over. Why, And What Now? — On Air Today (Mar. 25, 2026)Inside Carolina show host Joey Powell joins 97.9 The Hill's Aaron Johnson on Wednesday, Mar. 25, to discuss the news of UNC dismissing men's basketball head coach Hubert Davis.

The Best and Worst UNC Men's Basketball Games in the Hubert Davis EraUNC head coach Hubert Davis’ time in Chapel Hill is officially over after five seasons, with the university announcing the men’s basketball program’s change of leadership on Tuesday. Davis’ tenure was defined by its high highs and low lows, and ultimately that inconsistency led to his dismissal. Here are some of the best wins and […]

Chansky's Notebook: You're a Good Man, Hubert DavisThe ugliness and awkwardness of Hubert Davis’ exit from the UNC men's basketball program should not overshadow the man he is.

UNC Fans, Players Share Bittersweet Reactions on Social Media to Hubert Davis' DismissalUNC fans shared mixed emotions about Hubert Davis' dismissal and memories from his tenure on Tuesday night after his firing was official.

UNC Parts Ways with Men's Basketball Head Coach Hubert Davis After 5 SeasonsUNC men’s basketball head coach Hubert Davis will not return after five seasons in charge, the program announced Tuesday night. Carolina Athletics shared a release at 9 p.m. with the announcement, saying it was parting ways with Davis after several days of discussions and review of his time leading the program. “We appreciate all that […]

Chansky's Notebook: In Others' HandsSince his first year as UNC head coach, Hubert Davis has failed to meet the program’s lofty standards over the past four seasons.

Art's Angle: Three-Ring CircusHubert Davis' UNC future has never been more uncertain. The same can be said for many other aspects around Carolina Athletics.

The Signs Were There for a UNC Men's Basketball Collapse. Against VCU, It Finally Happened.UNC's 2025-26 season came crashing down around it Thursday night in Greenville, as the Tar Heels blew a 19-point lead in the second half.
›