The ACC revealed its annual preseason men’s basketball poll and awards on Wednesday, with UNC senior forward Garrison Brooks picked as the league’s Preseason Player of the Year.

In addition, Brooks and the Tar Heels were selected to finish fourth in the conference — and even received seven first-place votes — after spending much of last season at the bottom of the standings.

A total of 155 voters had input on this poll, which selected Virginia to win the league. The other teams in the projected top three are Duke and Florida State.

Brooks is coming off of a breakout campaign in which he averaged 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game while shooting 53.5 percent from the floor.

He was also named a Preseason First Team All-ACC selection this season, garnering 137 votes while the player who earned the second-most — Virginia’s Sam Hauser — had just 89.

New Tar Heels Caleb Love, Day’Ron Sharpe and R.J. Davis also each earned votes for the Preseason ACC Freshman of the Year award. That honor went to Florida State’s Scottie Barnes.

The news comes just one day after the conference revealed its full schedule for games this winter. UNC will begin its season November 25 against the College of Charleston, while beginning ACC play against N.C. State on December 22.

For the full ACC men’s basketball preseason poll and award selections, click here.

 

 

 

Photo via Todd Melet

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
The Morning News: Chatham Pipeline, Seth Trimble
In today's news: Chatham residents oppose a proposed natural gas pipeline, and UNC basketball star Seth Trimble transfers to Louisville.
Chansky's Notebook: The Five Stages
Chapelboro's Michael Koh breaks down the stunning news of Seth Trimble's commitment to Louisville via the transfer portal.
Seth Trimble Returns to College Ball Under New Rules; Transferring to Louisville
When Seth Trimble entered the transfer portal after his sophomore season, he tested the waters before ultimately returning to UNC men’s basketball. Fans rejoiced, cheering on the opportunity to see an up-and-coming player keep developing into a star for the Tar Heels. Across the following two seasons, Trimble, the younger brother of former Tar Heel […]
The Morning News: VinFast, Binkley Baptist, UNC Basketball
In today's news: local officials take action against the EV maker VinFast, and UNC men's basketball adds a preseason exhibition against USC.
UNC Men's Basketball to Face USC in Preseason Exhibition in Greensboro
The unofficial debut of UNC’s Michael Malone era will come in the Tar Heels’ home away from home. UNC will face USC in a preseason exhibition at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro (better known as the Greensboro Coliseum) Friday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. Though neither program has announced the game, the Coliseum’s website has […]
The Morning News: Carolina North, South Campus, University Place, and Cameron Fens
In today's news: planning continues for future development at Carolina North - that won't tear up the trails.
A 'Village at South Campus'? Advocates for the Smith Center Expand Their Push
Advocates for keeping UNC basketball at the Smith Center are expanding their push, calling for a fully-developed "Village at South Campus."
Granted Extra Year, South Dakota Center Cameron Fens Commits to UNC Men's Basketball
Seven-foot center Cameron Fens, who had exhausted his collegiate eligibility until a recent court ruling granted him and other graduating athletes one more season, committed to UNC Friday afternoon. View this post on Instagram Fens, originally from Dubuque, IA, graduated high school in 2022. He began his career with Illinois-Chicago in the Missouri Valley Conference […]
Freshmen, Transfers and More: Every Newcomer Joining UNC Men's Basketball for the 2026-27 Season
As Michael Malone embarks on his first season as the head coach of the UNC men’s basketball program, he’s gotten busy securing the additions of several newcomers to the program. Malone and his staff have mined from traditional high school recruiting and the transfer portal to fill out Carolina’s roster, and that work is continuing […]
The Morning News: Chatham Residents Fight Pipeline, Breadman's Shut Down, Steve Belichick on Medical Leave
Chatham County residents speak out against a proposed natural gas pipeline, and an iconic Chapel Hill restaurant is abruptly shuttered.
›