North Carolina’s RJ Davis Wins 2024 Jerry West Award as Nation’s Top Shooting Guard
North Carolina senior RJ Davis has been named the winner of the 2024 Jerry West Award, an honor presented annually by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to the top shooting guard in men’s college basketball. This recognition caps off a remarkable season for Davis, who emerged as one of the most prolific and consistent scorers in the country.
The Jerry West Award, named after the NBA legend and Hall of Famer known as “Mr. Clutch,” is given to the player who best exemplifies excellence at the shooting guard position. Davis joins an elite group of past winners, including NBA stars like James Harden, Buddy Hield, and Jalen Suggs. His selection reflects not just his scoring ability, but also his leadership, poise under pressure, and all-around impact on the court.
During the 2023–24 season, Davis averaged over 21 points per game, shooting efficiently from both the field and beyond the arc. His offensive production was a driving force behind North Carolina’s resurgence as a national contender, helping lead the Tar Heels to a deep run in the NCAA Tournament and a top seed in March Madness. Davis displayed his trademark scoring ability throughout the season, delivering clutch performances in big moments and regularly drawing defensive attention while still finding ways to score.
What set Davis apart from his peers this season was not only his scoring, but his improved efficiency and versatility. While always known for his quick release and shooting range, Davis expanded his game in his senior year, showing greater comfort attacking the rim, creating for others, and defending the perimeter. He demonstrated leadership maturity, serving as a stabilizing force on a team with championship aspirations.
His standout performances included multiple 30-point games against top-ranked opponents, including a signature showing against Duke in which he poured in a season-high 36 points. Time and again, Davis proved to be the Tar Heels’ most dependable offensive option, earning him first-team All-ACC honors and a spot as a consensus All-American.
The award is a testament to the hard work Davis has put in throughout his collegiate career. Arriving at UNC as a highly regarded recruit, Davis steadily improved each year under head coach Hubert Davis. By his senior season, he had become the face of the program and a fan favorite for his intensity, shot-making, and clutch performances.
Off the court, Davis has also been praised for his professionalism and character. He’s viewed as a role model in the locker room and a player who embodies the values of the North Carolina basketball tradition: team-first mentality, resilience, and class.
With this award, Davis solidifies his legacy at UNC and enhances his prospects for the 2024 NBA Draft. Scouts view him as a high-IQ guard with proven shooting ability and leadership qualities—traits that translate well to the next level.
As he closes the chapter on a historic college career, RJ Davis’s selection as the 2024 Jerry West Award winner serves as a fitting recognition for one of the finest shooting guards in the country.
