ACC Tournament MVP Joel Berry will return to UNC for his junior season.
Berry’s father, Joel Berry Sr., confirmed the news with Inside Carolina Friday morning.
Joel Berry led the Tar Heels in assists, steals, and three-point field-goal percentage. He was second on the team in scoring behind All-American senior Brice Johnson.
Berry’s best games came in the biggest moments. The guard led the Tar Heels with 19 points in the ACC Championship game. A clutch second half performance in the ACC final against Virginia was crucial in putting the Cavaliers away.
One of Berry’s best performances of the year came in the NCAA title game. He scored 20 points and hit all four of his three-point attempts.
It is far too early to predict what will happen next season for the Tar Heels. But, Berry will certainly be a big piece of the puzzle.
A separate report from the New & Observer conflicts with the report from Inside Carolina. According to the N&O’s Andrew Carter, Berry’s father said that “we don’t have a definitive answer,” regarding his son’s basketball future.
Related Stories
‹

This Week in UNC Sports: October 26-November 1, 2026This series of posts will be made weekly on Chapelboro with a full schedule of UNC sports contests, both in Chapel Hill and elsewhere. Note that game times and broadcast information are subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors. The week of Halloween means several UNC sports will be wrapping up their […]

UNC Men's Basketball vs. Charlotte (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off TimeUNC will wrap up its preseason schedule Tuesday night when it hosts Charlotte for a third and final exhibition game. UNC begins the regular season next Monday, Nov. 2. If you aren’t attending the game in person, here’s how to follow along at home: Broadcast Schedule Those hoping to listen on the radio can do […]

Chansky's Notebook: On The GlassMichael Malone began his press conference by pointing out what might be Carolina's biggest liability this season: rebounding effectively.
![]()
The Morning News: Prosecution Rests in Hedgepeth Trial, Early Voting Continues in NCIn today's news: the prosecution rests in the Faith Hedgepeth murder trial, and early voting turnout remains high for the 2026 midterm.
![]()
On Air Today: 97.9 The Hill's Michael Koh on UNC Football and Men's Basketball, October 19, 2026The Hill's Michael Koh discusses a busy weekend in sports, from UNC football's win over Duke to the latest basketball exhibition.

UNC Men's Basketball Unranked in 2026-27 Preseason AP PollMichael Malone’s Tar Heels will not be ranked at the outset of the 2026-27 season. The AP Top 25 preseason poll was published Monday morning, and UNC was not included. Florida reigns supreme at No. 1 in the poll, followed by No. 2 Duke, No. 3 Illinois, No. 4 UConn and No. 5 Arizona. Elsewhere […]

UNC Men's Basketball Blown Out vs. Indiana in Second Preseason ExhibitionUNC was outplayed on both ends of the floor against Indiana in the Tar Heels’ second exhibition of the preseason Sunday evening, and the Hoosiers won 76-58 in Indianapolis. Indiana flexed its muscles on the glass, outrebounding Carolina by a dominant 53-31 margin. The Hoosiers had more defensive rebounds (33) than UNC had in total. […]

UNC Men's Basketball vs. Indiana (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off TimeUNC will continue preseason action Sunday when it travels to Indianapolis to face Indiana at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers. If you aren’t making the trip with the team, here’s how you can follow along at home: Broadcast Schedule Those hoping to listen on the radio can do so at 97.9 FM and […]
![]()
On Air Today: Jones Angell, Previewing UNC-Duke Football (and UNC-Indiana Basketball)Voice of the Tar Heels Jones Angell joins Aaron to preview Saturday's battle for the Victory Bell, with UNC football taking on Duke.

UNC Men's Basketball Picked 5th in 2026-27 ACC Preseason PollUNC was picked fifth in the ACC men’s basketball preseason poll Monday afternoon. Two-time reigning conference champion Duke comes in at No. 1, taking home 45 of a possible 48 first-place votes. No. 2 Virginia, No. 3 Louisville and No. 4 Miami each followed with one first-place vote each. Below UNC, No. 6 Clemson, No. […]
›