Jarin Stevenson has always been quiet and reserved. But entering his senior season at UNC, Michael Malone is challenging the versatile forward to find his fire, play with greater aggression and let his game do the talking.
Jarin Stevenson has never needed to be the loudest person in the room.
But entering his senior season at North Carolina, he may need to become a little louder on the basketball court.
Stevenson met with reporters Thursday, September 24, following the Tar Heels’ first week of official practice under new head coach Michael Malone. One of the clearest themes of the conversation was the continuing effort to bring a more assertive, emotional and aggressive version of Stevenson to the surface.
That is noteworthy because Stevenson readily admits his natural personality can sometimes work against him on the floor.
“My personality, I feel like, holds me back a little bit,” Stevenson told reporters. “But I’ve been pushing out of that.”
There may be no more important individual development for Carolina this season.
Stevenson is the lone returning starter from last year’s team and one of the few players on a dramatically reconstructed roster who already understands what it means to wear a North Carolina uniform. After transferring home from Alabama before last season, the Chapel Hill native started 25 games and averaged 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds.
The physical tools have never been the issue.
At 6-foot-10, Stevenson can defend multiple positions, stretch the floor offensively and give Malone lineup flexibility at the three, four or even five. Malone previously called that versatility Stevenson’s “superpower”.
Now the challenge is marrying those tools with a different mentality.
Stevenson said there have already been moments in practice when losing or getting off to a poor start has brought something different out of him. Instead of remaining reserved, he has tried to provide energy and ignite his teammates.
That is precisely the growth Carolina needs.
Leadership does not require Stevenson to suddenly become someone he isn’t. He doesn’t have to transform into the loudest voice in the locker room or manufacture a personality that feels unnatural.
But he does need to play with conviction.
That means attacking closeouts instead of hesitating. Finishing aggressively around the rim. Taking open shots confidently. Using his defensive versatility to disrupt opponents. And when Carolina needs someone to provide a spark, embracing the responsibility rather than waiting for somebody else.
Jaydon Young has noticed the change, saying Stevenson is attacking the basket more aggressively and playing with increased confidence.
Malone challenged Stevenson earlier this offseason to remain who he is off the floor while becoming something different once the ball goes up: let his game be loud.
Stevenson appears to be taking that challenge seriously.
For a player with NBA-level physical tools and positional versatility, finding that fire could be the difference between another solid season and finally putting all the pieces together.
And if Stevenson does that, it won’t just raise his ceiling.
It could raise North Carolina’s, too.
