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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Davis, NC

Home Care Davis, NC

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Davis, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Davis, NC

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Davis, NC?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Davis, NC

Types of Elderly Care in Davis, NC

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Davis, NC
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Davis, NC
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Davis, NC
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Davis, NC

Benefits of Home Care in Davis, NC

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Davis, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Davis, NC

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your NC's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Davis, NC

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Davis, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Davis, NC

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Davis, NC

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Home Care Davis, NC

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Davis, NC

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Davis, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Davis, NC

Latest News in Davis, NC

Rep. Davis’ PFAS Polluter Liability Act passes NC House, heads to Senate

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Two bills filed by a state representative regulating the use of PFAS chemicals are now headed to the North Carolina Senate after passing in the House.House Bill 569 titled the PFAS Pollution and Polluter Liability Act would hold companies that make PFAS chemicals financially responsible if they exceed emission limits established by the EPA and contaminate waterways used by public utilities.Pollution from Chemou...

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Two bills filed by a state representative regulating the use of PFAS chemicals are now headed to the North Carolina Senate after passing in the House.

House Bill 569 titled the PFAS Pollution and Polluter Liability Act would hold companies that make PFAS chemicals financially responsible if they exceed emission limits established by the EPA and contaminate waterways used by public utilities.

Pollution from Chemours and other PFAS dumpers along the Cape Fear River have forced public utilities to spend millions to filter the forever chemical out of drinking water—which in turn led to higher rates for customers. The bill would hold polluters responsible for that cost.

This is the third year in a row a version of the bill has been filed by Rep. Ted Davis (R) of New Hanover County. The bill passed the House 104-3 on Thursday.

Another bill filed by Davis—HB 570—looks to reduce the amount of PFAS found in firefighting foam. Recent studies show PFAS exposure could be contributing to higher levels of cancer among firefighters.

HB 570 passed the house unanimously.

Davis says he’s already reached out to Sen. Michael Lee (R) of New Hanover County and Sen. Bill Rabon (R) of Brunswick County, and is calling on other senators to support both bills.

“I know there’s some legislation in the Senate addressing more study, we don’t need to study anymore. We need to protect the people that are being harmed,” Davis said. “So I just hope that the senators from all across the state will realize not only is this an important issue locally, but it could very well affect them as well.”

HB 569 and HB 570 are currently waiting in the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate before they are brought up for a vote.

North Carolina basketball under Hubert Davis: Insiders say transfer portal news, best 2025 recruits, roster

Imagn Images The North Carolina Tar Heels went to the NCAA Tournament title game in their first season under head coach Hubert Davis, but they have not advanced past the Sweet 16 in the three years since. They snuck into the field this past season before losing to Ole Miss in the first round. Leading scorer RJ Davis completed his storied career, leaving a major void in the North Carolina basketball lineup. However, the North Carolina basketball coaching staff has been active in the college basketball transfer portal.The portal...

Imagn Images

The North Carolina Tar Heels went to the NCAA Tournament title game in their first season under head coach Hubert Davis, but they have not advanced past the Sweet 16 in the three years since. They snuck into the field this past season before losing to Ole Miss in the first round. Leading scorer RJ Davis completed his storied career, leaving a major void in the North Carolina basketball lineup. However, the North Carolina basketball coaching staff has been active in the college basketball transfer portal.

The portal will remain open for several more days, so Davis and his staff will continue evaluating the available players. Which college basketball transfers could wind up in Chapel Hill? If you love the Tar Heels, or want the latest roster updates and college basketball transfer portal news, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at InsideCarolina, the 247Sports affiliate that covers North Carolina.

The InsideCarolina insiders are providing on-the-ground updates on every development the college basketball transfer portal has to offer and the future of the UNC basketball program, including insights from Evans Rogers and Buck Sanders, who have deep-rooted ties inside and around the UNC community. Get the inside scoop on the basketball program, plus VIP intel on UNC football, baseball, recruiting and more. You can also get access to The Tar Pit and the UNC Basketball premium message boards where you can connect with other UNC fans and insiders.

And right now, InsideCarolina is offering 50% off annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up. The team at InsideCarolina already has news out on who is coming and going on the North Carolina basketball roster. Head to InsideCarolina now to see the latest updates.

North Carolina basketball roster news

The Tar Heels have seen activity from both sides of the portal, with guards Elliot Cadeau and Ian Jackson among the players to leave. They have added several transfers to fill the gaps, including Colorado State guard Kyan Evans and West Virginia wing Jonathan Powell. North Carolina lacked size last season, but it has already earned transfer commitments from Henri Veesaar (Arizona) and Jarin Stevenson (Alabama).

Veesaar has a well-rounded offensive game and will serve as a rim protector, while Stevenson offers more versatility defensively to go along with perimeter shooting. Five-star recruit Caleb Wilson, who is the No. 6 player in the 2025 class (247Sports Composite), headlines UNC's three-player class. He should have an instant impact as a defender and rebounder, while fellow freshmen Derek Dixon and Isaiah Denis might need time to work their way into the rotation. Get the latest North Carolina basketball roster news from InsideCarolina.

How to get insider North Carolina basketball roster updates

Davis is expected to go after big names in the transfer portal, and the InsideCarolina staff has all the latest news involving incoming and outgoing transfers. You can only see the latest updates at InsideCarolina.

Who are the top names North Carolina basketball is pursuing? Go to InsideCarolina to see their insider information, all from a team of reporters with deep-rooted ties to North Carolina, and find out.

And remember, InsideCarolina is offering 50% off an annual VIP membership for a limited time, so subscribe now before it's too late.

*Terms: This offer is only available for new members who sign up for an annual subscription to InsideCarolina. After the first year, subscription will re-bill on an annual basis at the regular rate. 247Sports.com reserves the right to alter or cancel this promotion at any time. Please write [email protected] with any questions you may have.

Former 5-star transfer portal departure could spell the end for Hubert Davis at North Carolina

North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis appeared to be on the hot seat last season, but a strong close to the season, a surprising NCAA Tournament at-large bid, and a previously unrevealed extension gave Davis some security heading into the offseason. However, after the recent news of Ian Jackson’s transfer portal entry, the Tar Heels may have seen too many talented players walk out the door for Davis to recover in Chapel Hill.In the three seasons years Davis’s debut run to the Final Four, the Tar Heels have been uninspirin...

North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis appeared to be on the hot seat last season, but a strong close to the season, a surprising NCAA Tournament at-large bid, and a previously unrevealed extension gave Davis some security heading into the offseason. However, after the recent news of Ian Jackson’s transfer portal entry, the Tar Heels may have seen too many talented players walk out the door for Davis to recover in Chapel Hill.

In the three seasons years Davis’s debut run to the Final Four, the Tar Heels have been uninspiring. North Carolina missed the tournament in 2023, earned a No. 1 seed in 2024 before a Sweet 16 exit, and got bounced after a first-four victory over San Diego State this March. However, Davis’s offseason has almost been worse than the product on the court.

North Carolina guard Ian Jackson enters transfer portal

A 2024 five-star recruit, Jackson flourished alongside RJ Davis and Elliot Cadeau in Chapel Hill this season, averaging 11.9 points a game while shooting 46% from the field and 40% from three. Now, with Jackson’s name in the portal, all three members of Davis’s dynamic backcourt are gone. Davis is out of eligibility after a legendary five-year career at UNC and Cadeau already landed at Michigan in the transfer portal after two seasons with the Tar Heels.

Jackson appeared to be a foundational piece for Davis’s program after a promising first year in the ACC, but now the Tar Heels need a new centerpiece if Davis is going to save his job. The fifth-year head coach has made two nice portal additions in promising Arizona center Henri Veesaar who greatly improved throughout last season and West Virginia guard Jonathan Powell, though neither will offset the loss of Jackson’s scoring pop.

Now, unless Davis is able to land one of the few transformational talents still on the market, UNC will lean heavily on a new incoming five-star next season, forward Caleb Wilson. Wilson chose the Tar Heels over Kentucky and is the No. 6 ranked player in the 2025 high school class according to 247Sports Composite rankings.

With Wilson and four-stars Isaiah Denis and Derek Dixon, Davis has the No. 5 ranked high school class. Davis has leaned heavily on veterans like Davis and Armando Bacot throughout his tenure, but with his job on the line, he’ll need freshmen to step up. That would have been the case before Jackson’s departure, but now that the former five-star is leaving Chapel Hill, it feels as though North Carolina fans can start to fantasize about their next head coach.

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RJ Davis is the last UNC player from Roy Williams’ last game. Soon, he’ll play his own

READ MOREThe latest results, news, notes and analysis from the 2025 NCAA Tournament.Expand AllDayton, OhioThe end is near. It may come Tuesday night, against San Diego State. It may come this weekend in Milwaukee. Perhaps R.J. Davis will help take North Carolina on the same kind of magical run he did as a sophomore, but one way or another, it will end.And when it does, it won’t just mark the end of Davis’ illustrious career, one that saw him surpass former teammate Armando Bacot to trail onl...

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The latest results, news, notes and analysis from the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

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Dayton, Ohio

The end is near. It may come Tuesday night, against San Diego State. It may come this weekend in Milwaukee. Perhaps R.J. Davis will help take North Carolina on the same kind of magical run he did as a sophomore, but one way or another, it will end.

And when it does, it won’t just mark the end of Davis’ illustrious career, one that saw him surpass former teammate Armando Bacot to trail only Tyler Hansbrough on North Carolina’s all-time scoring list and play for a national title.

When Davis walks off the floor for the last time, the last player coached by Roy Williams to wear the North Carolina jersey will finally take it off, for good.

The passage of time is relentless, the forces of change in college basketball even more so, so it is probably more surprising that there still was one connection left to Williams all these years later than it is surprising that the last link is finally being severed.

That thought crossed Davis’ mind the morning of the Duke game, before he was honored for the second time as a departing senior, but landed heavy upon him during his last run out of the tunnel onto the court, past the seats where Williams and his wife Wanda sit for every game.

“I always tap Roy on the shoe, just to dap him up one last time, and it hit me that I’m the last of the Roy era,” Davis said. “It’s a great feeling, just to understand what Roy Williams meant to North Carolina but also to college basketball, to be his last recruit, that’s a terrific story right there. I’m very fortunate to have played for him for one year but at the same time share the relationship I have with him. It’s meant a lot to me.”

Two of Davis’ teammates from his freshman year are still playing in this NCAA tournament — Caleb Love at Arizona and Kerwin Walton at Texas Tech, with a third, Puff Johnson done at Penn State — but Davis is the last player standing at North Carolina and the last one to play at the Smith Center in front of the coach who first convinced him to come to Chapel Hill.

To that coach, it doesn’t seem like all that long ago, and there’s still a sense of vindication in seeing Davis climb the scoring charts, not to mention a personal 7-3 record in the NCAA tournament going into Tuesday night.

“Well, it’s a sad thing, but also I feel very lucky because he’s such a wonderful kid,” Williams said. “I remember sitting with his mom and dad saying, ‘You’re going to be all right, because of how tough you are. You’re not the biggest, you’re not the fastest, but you’re going to be all right. You’ve got a chance to be a big-time player just because of how tough you are.’ I really believed that. I thought he was going to be a big-time player and he’s exceeded that. What he’s done is amazing.”

Even in the revolving-door world of college basketball, even after Hubert Davis took over and took the Tar Heels to the Final Four in his first season, players like Davis and Armando Bacot served as a transition from one era to another, stalwarts who came to North Carolina to play for Williams and stayed to play for Davis — for so long, in both their cases, that it felt like they’d be there forever.

And not just to them.

“It’s pretty surreal and it’s weird to hear that he’s the last player,” said Joel Berry, who starred on North Carolina’s 2017 national champions and is now an ACC Network analyst. “That does make me feel old. I will say, as I get ready to enter my 30s, I did see a gray hair in my beard. I’m getting up there. But it’s pretty crazy – you don’t think it happens but it’s happening.”

Williams, obviously, hasn’t exactly disappeared. When he’s not watching North Carolina play, he’s often spotted elsewhere, still an inveterate hoops junkie most at home in a gym (with the exception, maybe, of a golf course).

He’s as emotionally invested in North Carolina basketball as he ever was, and the changes to the UNC program — and the hiring of longtime agent Jim Tanner as general manager — smack of Williams’ influence, desperate to ensure his succession to Hubert Davis is a long-term success.

While Williams’ legacy would be burnished if Davis can restore the Tar Heels to their traditional place among the college hoops elite and make it a successful succession, R.J. Davis will soon have done all he can. He played in Williams’ last game. Soon, he’ll play in his own.

“If I was still coaching him, you know what I’d be calling him,” Williams said, relishing the chance to use one of his favorite nuggets of praise: “A tough little nut.”

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This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 6:00 AM.

Luke DeCock

The News & Observer

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Sports columnist Luke DeCock joined The News & Observer in 2000 and has covered seven Final Fours, the Summer Olympics, the Super Bowl and the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup. He is a past president of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, was the 2020 winner of the National Headliner Award as the country’s top sports columnist and has twice been named North Carolina Sportswriter of the Year.

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