The ACC released their official All-ACC team and award winner on Monday morning. Despite the worst season in 18 years for the Tar Heel basketball program, the Tar Heels placed two players on the All-ACC teams.
Garrison Brooks is the Tar Heels first representative, earning second team honors for his phenomenal junior season. Even though the Tar Heels struggled to find a way to win games, especially in conference, it wasn’t for a lack of effort from Brooks, who averaged 16.7 points per game and 8.8 rebounds per game. Brooks finished the season with 13 double-doubles, a team high, including a stretch of six in a row from the Yale game through the Virginia Tech game. Brooks scored 20 or more points in eleven games, including each of the final six games of the regular season. In a season that saw so much turmoil, Brooks was a consistent force and one that, if the Tar Heels had been able to close out a few close games, likely would have been a first-team selection. That wasn’t the only recognition Brooks received, as he was awarded the league’s Most Improved Player award for his increased play.
Meanwhile, freshman Cole Anthony garnered third-team All-ACC honors for his efforts this season. In 20 games played in the regular season, Anthony was Carolina’s leading scorer, averaging 19.6 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game and 4.1 assists per game. His season is looked down upon by many because of just how high the expectations were before the season, but Anthony put together a very solid campaign while fighting through injury this season. He led the ACC in scoring this season, despite shooting just 38.8% from the field and scored 20 or more points in nine of the 20 games he was active for. While his freshman season might be looked at as a disappointment by some, it was far from a bad start to his career.
Brooks, Anthony and the Tar Heels will now gear up to attempt to make a run in this week’s ACC Tournament as they look to avoid Roy Williams’ first losing season and avoid missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010. We’ll have you covered all throughout the week with everything you need to know right here on the Heel Tough Blog website.