The Naismith Award, one of college basketball’s prestigious National Player of the Year honors, released a list including its top 30 candidates on Wednesday–with a pair of Tar Heels among the mix.

Junior forward Luke Maye and senior point guard Joel Berry joined a phenomenal group of players led by Oklahoma freshman sensation Trae Young, who currently leads the country in points and assists per game.

Maye currently leads UNC in both scoring (18.3 ppg) and rebounding (10.4 rpg), while Berry is right behind in scoring (17.5 ppg) and has been the team’s steadying force in the backcourt all year long.

The Tar Heel duo represents half of the four players from the ACC on the Naismith Top 30 list, with Duke freshman forward Marvin Bagley III and Virginia guard Kyle Guy the other two from the league to be recognized.

In just two weeks time–on Feb. 28–the 30 candidates will be whittled down to 10 semifinalists.

For the full Naismith Top 30 list, click here.

 

 

Photo via Todd Melet

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