What UNC basketball can expect from Seth Trimble, Jalen Washington
Most of the offseason attention surrounding UNC basketball has centered around players leaving or joining the Tar Heels.
After missing the NCAA Tournament last season, third-year coach Hubert Davis had seven players enter the transfer portal and five join the program via the portal. Davis also added a pair of freshmen — Elliot Cadeau and Zayden High — to the roster.
But what about the returners? Aside from veteran standouts Armando Bacot and RJ Davis, sophomores Seth Trimble and Jalen Washington are the lone players who spent time as part of the rotation last season.
When the 2023-24 season starts Nov. 6 with UNC hosting Radford at the Dean E. Smith Center, Trimble and Washington could be in line to make a freshman-to-sophomore leap for the Tar Heels.
FUTURE TAR HEELS: UNC basketball recruits Drake Powell, Ian Jackson continue rise as future Tar Heels
BACOT'S BREAKDOWN: UNC basketball’s Armando Bacot breaks down roster changes, why he returned for Tar Heels
JERSEY NUMBERS: What jersey numbers will UNC basketball players wear this season? Here are the Tar Heels
“Jalen and Seth came back because they wanted to be here. They didn’t want to go,” Hubert Davis said in July during a summer press conference.
“. … Both of these guys want to play a bigger role this year. They have shown that by their preparation and by their effort, and the way that they have worked this summer.”
What can UNC basketball expect from Seth Trimble?
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound guard had his moments last season, but his playing time diminished down the stretch as Trimble averaged 1.8 points and 0.6 assists in 9.8 minutes per game.
He had a season-best 11 points against Wake Forest and five assists vs. The Citadel, logging double-digit minutes in 14 of the first 18 games. He scored 50 of his 58 points in the first 17 games, but only played double-digit minutes in one game the rest of the season.
Known for his athleticism and instincts as a defender, Trimble could have a similar track to his brother, J.P. Tokoto, who played at UNC from 2012-15.
Tokoto is 3 inches taller, but the two have similar playing styles. Tokoto averaged 2.6 points and 1.7 rebounds per game as a freshman before boosting those averages to 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds as a sophomore. Tokoto was also a member of the All-ACC defensive team, pacing UNC with 55 steals in his second season.
“Seth, he has athleticism that’s not normal. He can be, I think, the best defender in the country, I really do. His ability to pick up full court and keep the ball in front of him, I think he has that ability to be a problem on the defensive end,” Davis said.
“With his speed and his athleticism, being able to attack the basket and get to the free throw line. He’s been really working hard all summer shooting the ball from the outside, and just becoming more consistent from 3-point range.”
Can Jalen Washington increase his role with the Tar Heels?
Injuries have been the story of Washington’s recent history as he recovered from right-knee issues.
“This is the first year where he can actually work out. The last two years, they were rehab summers, and that’s a big difference,” Davis said.
“This is the first year where he’s not rehabbing, he’s working out. That’s a huge deal for him. … It takes time to get that rhythm back. I just really like the way he’s playing.”
Washington’s shooting touch and frame as a 6-foot-10, 230-pound forward with a 7-foot-4 wingspan make him an intriguing NBA prospect if he can stay healthy.
Washington averaged 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 5.7 minutes per game as a freshman. His breakout game came at Virginia when he scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds in 27 minutes. He only played double-digit minutes in two games.
Because they have similar builds, Luke Maye feels like a comparable player as far as looking at possible freshman-to-sophomore improvements. Maye averaged 1.2 points and 1.7 rebounds in 5.4 minutes per game as a freshman in 2015-16.
As a sophomore, Maye averaged 5.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 14.2 minutes per game on his way to winning UNC’s Danny Green Award as the team’s most improved player.
Washington has the skill set to make a similar jump.
“Jalen, he’s basically lived in the weight room. He’s been there all summer, and it’s gotten to the point where both of his legs are equally strong,” Davis said. “He’s really worked hard on his conditioning. He can really score around the basket, he can shoot.”
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: UNC basketball could get boost from Seth Trimble, Jalen Washington
