Seth Trimble injury update: Hubert Davis says UNC basketball guard is 'progressing fast'

CHAPEL HILL — UNC basketball coach Hubert Davis says senior guard Seth Trimble is “progressing fast and really well” as the Tar Heels prepare to face Kentucky in the ACC/SEC Challenge. 

It’s been just over three weeks since Trimble broke a bone in his left forearm, which required surgery. He averaged 14.5 points, 5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in the first two games of the season for the 16th/17th-ranked Tar Heels (6-1) before the injury sidelined him for the last five games.

“I don’t have a definitive answer in regards to when he’s gonna come back, but it’s progressing fast and really well,” Davis said Dec. 1 during a 15-minute press conference inside the Smith Center media room.

“He’s shooting, he’s dribbling, he’s conditioning. So, it’s in a really good spot and I’m looking forward to when he can get back out there on the floor.”

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The Trimble-less Tar Heels tip off against the 18th-ranked Wildcats (5-2) on Tuesday, Dec. 2 (9:30 p.m., ESPN), inside Rupp Arena.

Seth Trimble injury update

Hubert Davis didn’t put a timeline on Trimble’s return, but it’s a positive sign that UNC’s senior captain is getting in work on the court as he continues to recover from his left-arm injury, which is Trimble’s non-shooting arm. After wearing a cast for several games, Trimble transitioned to a brace during Thanksgiving week for UNC’s games at the Fort Myers Tip-Off. The typical timeline for such injuries maxing out around nine weeks, which would put Trimble’s return toward the end of December or early January.

Will Seth Trimble play vs Kentucky in ACC/SEC Challenge?

Despite his progress, Seth Trimble will not play against Kentucky in the ACC/SEC Challenge.

Seth Trimble stats

UNC’s top defender on the perimeter and its most experienced player, Seth Trimble averaged 14.5 points, 5 rebounds and 3.5 assists the first two games of the season. Trimble had 17 points and eight rebounds in the Tar Heels’ win against then-No. 19 Kansas at the Smith Center, guarding Jayhawk star Darryn Peterson for most of the game. UNC lost to Michigan State with Trimble sidelined, but the absence could be a beneficial thing for the rest of Tar Heels once Trimble returns to the lineup.

Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to [email protected].

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: UNC basketball’s Hubert Davis updates Seth Trimble’s injury status