UNC senior forward Garrison Brooks — the Preseason ACC Player of the Year — is currently dealing with a sprained ankle and has yet to be cleared for the Tar Heels game at No. 3 Iowa on Tuesday night.

Head coach Roy Williams told reporters on Monday that Brooks suffered the injury in the team’s 69-67 loss to Texas last Wednesday–a game in which Brooks led the Tar Heels with a season-high 18 points.

For the season, Brooks has averaged just 12 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.

“Garrison hasn’t played the way I expected him to play, but against Texas he was the guy who stepped up and made big plays for us,” Williams said. “It was just unfortunate that he sprained his ankle and he hasn’t practiced since then.”

If Brooks is unable to go on Tuesday, the Tar Heels will likely rotate sophomore Armando Bacot and freshmen Walker Kessler and Day’Ron Sharpe in the frontcourt.

It would also be a huge blow defensively, with Iowa senior forward Luka Garza entering the game as the leading National Player of the Year candidate — having posted incredible averages of 34.0 points and 9.7 rebounds per game on 76 percent shooting from the field.

No. 16 UNC will tip off against No. 3 Iowa at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Photo via Maui Invitational

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.