A Message To Joel Berry And Theo Pinson
Start writing a post
Sports

A Message To Joel Berry And Theo Pinson

Thank you: told from the perspective of a die-hard North Carolina basketball fan.

228
A Message To Joel Berry And Theo Pinson
goheels.com

There are two things I hate in this world: country music and Duke basketball.

Nothing makes me cringe more than enviously observing Coach K bring in top-tier recruiting classes year after year, except maybe watching his team hoist two National Championships in the past eight seasons.

But I digress.

North Carolina basketball has served as a major component of my young life. From when my older brother, who is also a Tar Heels fanatic, introduced me to the team during the early portion of my adolescence until the present day, I have always remained loyal to the Heels.

Being a Carolina diehard, I’ve seen it all: when Gerald Henderson blatantly punched Tyler Hansbrough in the nose, the PJ Hairston dilemma, and that time Stilman White started an Elite Eight game against Kansas.

There have been both ups and downs, but that’s the life of a sports fan, so I really can’t complain.

During my tenure as a Tar Heel supporter, I have grown attached to a significant number of players.

The competitors who I admire most are not necessarily the individuals with the most skill, but instead are the ones who play hard on a consistent basis, develop a solid reputation for themselves off the court, and, perhaps most importantly, stay at the school instead of forgoing the remainder of their college eligibility to pursue professional aspirations.

Some names that come to mind when discussing the aforementioned criteria are Danny Green, Tyler Zeller, Brice Johnson, Marcus Paige, Isaiah Hicks, and Kennedy Meeks, to name a few. These individuals epitomize Carolina basketball in every way and will always be some of my favorites to don Carolina Blue.

There are two players on Carolina’s current roster that are approaching the conclusion of their college basketball careers and, as a fan, I could not be more thankful for their contributions.

Coach Roy Williams offered these young men scholarships not only because of their exceptional talent but also because they are team players focused on playing for what’s on the front of their jerseys rather than what’s on the back.

Joel Berry and Theo Pinson know what it takes to play for North Carolina. As highly touted freshmen entering the 2014-2015 season, neither player received much game time under Coach Williams, but they never let that negatively affect them.

From that point forward, Berry and Pinson have gone above and beyond to earn their respective positions in the Carolina starting five.

As sophomores, Berry and Pinson played key roles in helping the Tar Heels advance to the National Championship game, eventually losing to Villanova on a last-second buzzer beater.

Once again, Berry and Pinson refused to be discouraged, garnering motivation from the defeat to capture a National Championship during the proceeding campaign.

Both Berry and Pinson underwent monumental transitions during their junior seasons. Not only did Berry grow out his hair, but his performance on the court reached new heights.

With a deadly three-point shot and the ability to penetrate against larger defenders, Berry found a niche in Carolina’s squad for being a playmaker.

Although the early part of his 2016-2017 season was plagued by injuries, Pinson continued to progress, becoming the lockdown defender that Coach Williams always hoped he would be.

Together, Berry and Pinson pushed UNC to its full potential as the team inevitably overcame the previous season’s shortcoming by winning the school’s sixth National Title.

This season has been difficult for Carolina players and fans alike. The team has struggled at times after losing multiple key players due to graduation, but that has not affected Berry and Pinson, who continue to serve as crucial players for Coach Williams.

Whenever adversity strikes, Berry and Pinson step up to the plate, prepared to handle any situation that comes their way.

I will definitely miss Joel Berry and Theo Pinson. Together, the two seniors have developed a legacy at UNC and will be remembered by fans for their inherent skill and determination to win.

These types of players are hard to come by, but their presence should not be taken for granted.

As the NCAA Tournament nears, so does the end of Berry and Pinson’s stays. I would just like to take a moment to thank these young men for all they have done.

In a world flooded with responsibilities and expectations, sports is a way for individuals, such as myself, to get lost and relieve some of the stress that accompanies everyday life.

Thank you, Joel and Theo, for representing North Carolina in the most professional way possible.

Now let’s go win another National Championship.



Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58958
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

38061
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959567
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

195937
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments