Berry at the 2014 McDonald's All-American game.
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No. 2 – North Carolina Tar Heels | ||||||||||
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Position | Point guard | |||||||||
League | Atlantic Coast Conference | |||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||
Born |
Orlando, Florida |
April 1, 1995 |||||||||
Nationality | American | |||||||||
Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | |||||||||
Listed weight | 195 lb (88 kg) | |||||||||
Career information | ||||||||||
High school |
Lake Highland Preparatory (Orlando, Florida) |
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College | North Carolina (2014–present) | |||||||||
Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||
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Medals
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Joel DeWayne Berry II (born April 1, 1995) is an American college basketball player for the University of North Carolina (UNC).
Berry, a 6'0 point guard, played high school basketball at Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando, Florida. He led his team to two state titles and was the first player named Florida Mr. Basketball three times. He was named a Parade All-American and McDonald's All-American as a senior in 2014.
Berry's freshman season was hampered by injury. He averaged 4.2 points and 1.5 assists per game backing up junior Marcus Paige at point guard. As a sophomore, Berry moved into the starting lineup at point guard, with Paige shifting over to shooting guard, resulting in a dramatic increase in Berry's offensive production. Berry helped the team to an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular season title. He then helped the team to an ACC Tournament championship, averaging 17 points per game and coming away with Most Valuable Player honors. In the post-season, Berry and the Tar Heels made the Final Four and 2016 NCAA championship game. During the championship game, Berry scored 20 points and dished out four assists, but North Carolina fell short on a last-second shot to Villanova, 77-74. As a junior, Berry led the Tar Heels to the ACC regular season title. In the NCAA Tournament, despite playing with injuries to both ankles, Berry led the Tar Heels to a 2017 NCAA men's basketball championship. In the national title game against Gonzaga, Berry scored 22 points and had six assists, and was thereafter named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, becoming the first player since Bill Walton to score 20 points or more in back-to-back title games.