How close is injured UNC guard Seth Trimble to returning to Tar Heels? An update
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Seth Trimble progresses in rehab and is expected to resume full-contact practice soon.
- He remained active on the bench, providing coaching, motivation and game feedback.
- Coach Hubert Davis expects Trimble to restore ball-handling, defense and playmaking.
Seth Trimble’s recovery process is ahead of schedule and the UNC senior guard is expected to return to full-contact practice in the coming days, sources tell the News & Observer.
Trimble was on the bench again at the Smith Center on Saturday for North Carolina’s 80-62 win over USC Upstate, this time without a brace or cast on his left arm. He suffered a broken bone in his left forearm during a Nov. 9 team workout.
Now, nearly five weeks later, North Carolina coach Hubert Davis said Trimble is participating in everything that’s “non-contact,” meaning individual workouts without others around.
“The next step is doing everything with contact,” Davis said, “and my hope is that Seth will be out there soon.”
Though Davis didn’t specify a firm timeline for Trimble (other than saying “it’s going very well”), sources with knowledge of the situation said he’s expected to be cleared for full contact this week. UNC next plays Tuesday night at home against East Tennessee State before the Tar Heels travel to Atlanta to play Ohio State on Saturday.
The tilt against the Buckeyes will mark roughly six weeks since Trimble’s injury. As previously reported by the N&O, Trimble said ahead of the Radford game he estimated being out for six to eight weeks.
That’s not to say Trimble hasn’t been involved during his recovery. It’s quite the opposite. Yet again on Saturday, Trimble could be seen getting in his teammates’ faces, offering words of encouragement or feedback during tough stretches.
“He’s been great honestly,” said freshman Caleb Wilson, who finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds on Saturday. “He’s very mentally sharp. He knows when to include himself. Like, he can’t play out there, but he’s definitely going to talk and get us going. And in the huddle, just making sure we’re feeling good and feeling like we can play.”
Once Trimble returns, Davis is confident the senior will once again impact the team “in a great way on both ends of the floor.”
The Tar Heels pride themselves on attacking in transition, something Davis has emphasized repeatedly. On Saturday, Davis said there’s nobody in the country he’d rather have handle the ball in transition than Trimble.
“Having that ability to strike and be able to finish and transition like him is real,” Davis said. “He’s another playmaker. So he can handle the ball, he can distribute, he can score. And then, defensively, you can make the argument he’s the best on-ball defender, perimeter defender in the country.”
Trimble ranked third on the team in scoring (14.5 points per game) and rebounding (five boards per game) through North Carolina’s first two contests. He also ranked second in assists (with seven) and was shooting 11-of-25 from the field during that opening stretch.
This story was originally published December 13, 2025 at 6:44 PM.