Following the conclusion of the ACC men’s basketball regular season on Saturday, the league released its postseason awards selections on Sunday.
UNC junior wing Justin Jackson was selected as the conference Player of the Year–beating out Wake Forest forward John Collins by nine points in the voting.
The 6-foot-8 native of Tomball, Texas also made the All-ACC First Team with more votes than all but Duke guard Luke Kennard–who was a unanimous selection.
Jackson is the 14th Tar Heel to win the ACC Player of the Year, and first since Tyler Zeller earned the honor in 2012.
His 18.3 points per game is the highest scoring average by a Tar Heel since Tyler Hansbrough averaged 20.7 a night in 2009–and his 85 three-pointers are just 10 shy of tying the single-season school record of 95 set by Shammond Williams in 1996-97.
Joel Berry was named to the All-ACC Second Team after posting a fantastic season at point guard for the Tar Heels. (Todd Melet)
“It’s an honor and a blessing by my God,” Jackson said, in a statement released by the university. “My teammates are a huge part of this award and I can’t thank my coaches and them enough.”
Jackson wasn’t the only Tar Heel honored, however, as junior point guard Joel Berry made the All-ACC Second Team.
Berry was the MVP of the Maui Invitational in November, was named ACC Player of the Week four times and earned National Player of the Week honors twice throughout the year.
He also led the Tar Heels in assists (112), steals (42), three-point percentage (.424) and free throw percentage (.832)–all while finishing second to Jackson in scoring (15.1 ppg).
Both players were the main catalysts behind UNC’s to a 26-6 record this season, including a 14-4 mark against conference opponents which earned the program its 31st ACC regular season championship.
This after the team entered this season worrying about finding enough production to replace departed seniors Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige.
“I’m just ecstatic for Justin, Joel and our team,” UNC head coach Roy Williams said. “Justin and Joel have been outstanding for us the entire season. They’re a big reason why we’ve been able to reach the first of our goals – to win the ACC regular-season championship.
“I’m pleased for both of them and for our team because their accolades are a reflection of our entire team’s success and the kind of leadership both of them have demonstrated from day one,” the coach added. “Hopefully Justin, Joel and our entire team will continue to improve as we work toward reaching more of our goals and dreams over the next month.”
For the full list of ACC award winners–and All-Conference Teams–click here.
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