UNC Basketball: Joel Berry II named to award watch list
UNC point guard Joel Berry has been named to a preseason award watch list
It’s that time of year again, folks.
With the college basketball season looming, that means the award watch lists are starting to release for 2017. First up, the Bob Cousy Award.
Each year, the Basketball Hall of Fame recognizes the best point guard in college basketball as they award that player the Boby Cousy Award.
In 2016, the award was given to Kentucky’s Tyler Ulis who is now in the NBA. On Monday they announced the watch list for the award.
UNC point guard Joel Berry II was officially named to the watch list, to no ones surprise.
Berry had a breakout year as a sophomore for the Tar Heels in 2015-16, being a key starter on a team that went to the National Championship Game.
During that season, Berry averaged 12.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
Bob Cousy Award list. Some pretty good point guards here. pic.twitter.com/PjfbmNAU8r
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) October 17, 2016
Going into this season, Berry will be looked upon as a leader and arguably UNC’s best player as they look to make another Final Four run.
Joining Berry on the list is four other ACC guards: Frank Jackson (Duke), Dennis Smith (N.C. State), London Perrantes (Virginia) and Seth Allen (Virginia Tech).
Since the award was introduced in 2003 the Tar Heels have had three players win it, more than any other team.
Raymond Felton was the first Tar Heel point guard to win it in 2004-05, with Ty Lawson (2008-09) and Kendall Marshall (2011-12).
Berry and the Tar Heels have begun practice in preparation for the upcoming season. They will tipoff for the first time on November 11 when they travel to New Orleans to take on Tulane.
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