North Carolina Basketball: Joel Berry II will be the star for the Tar Heels

GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 03: Joel Berry II (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

After winning the National Championship in 2016-17, North Carolina basketball returns star guard Joel Berry II for his senior season.

One of the best players on the North Carolina Tar Heels a season ago, Joel Berry II is back for the 2017-18 campaign. Without Justin Jackson, Kennedy Meeks, Isaiah Hicks, or Tony Bradley this next season, it will be up to Berry to carry the Tar Heels back to the promised land. Berry will also have the talents of Luke Maye, Theo Pinson, and the 17th ranked recruiting class according to 247Sports, but the late-game heroics will be on his shoulders.

Last season, Berry averaged 14.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game during 30.4 minutes in each contest. Following the championship run, Berry tested the draft waters for just a single day before announcing his return back to North Carolina. When asked about the decision, Berry had this to say (as reported by CBS):

"“After speaking to my family I have decided to withdraw from the 2017 draft and will return to Carolina next season,” Berry said. “I know I can continue to improve my game and be better prepared for the NBA after another year playing against the best college competition in the country. There’s no reason to rush leaving school. I love being a Tar Heel and love playing for Carolina and Coach (Roy) Williams.”"

Berry showed the ability to play in big games last season, as he had two of his best games of the season in the NCAA Tournament. First, he dropped 26 on Butler in UNC’s Sweet 16 game, shooting 8-for-13 from the floor as they dominated the Bulldogs. Then, after two games in which he struggled to score 11 points each time, Berry had 22 points in the National Championship game against Gonzaga.

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Despite playing on bad ankles, Berry showed the ability to take over in a big game and made clutch shots throughout the Tar Heels’ battle with Gonzaga. Heading into this season, that experience will help him as he takes on that role in every game. Unlike this past year where UNC had several “known” stars heading in, the Tar Heels are a bit of a mystery this year.

The reigning NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in Joel Berry will be the focal point for the team on the offensive end, at least until the rest of the roster and rotations are figured out. With all the talent that the defending champions lost, it is possible that the Tar Heels start the year outside of the preseason top-10, and they will need to prove themselves.

This is going to be a very young North Carolina team, combining veterans like Pinson and Berry with a highly-regarded recruiting class and a top of the line transfer in Cam Johnson. With that being said, it will be up to Joel Berry, the team’s point guard, to take control and be the leader for North Carolina.

After his memorable championship game, it looks like Berry will be one of the frontrunners to win the National Player of the Year Award when the season gets underway. If he can carry North Carolina to another successful season, especially during ACC play, then there is no reason that he cannot win the award. The last North Carolina player to win the National Player of the Year Award was Tyler Hansborough in 2008.

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When all is said and done, North Carolina is one of the best programs in the country and it would be a mistake to not include them as one of the title favorites entering this season. Joel Berry is a major reason why this is as well, as his poise under pressure makes him one of the best point guards in the entire country.

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