Joel Berry II passes Michael Jordan on UNC all-time career scoring list

Zach Pereles

North Carolina senior point guard Joel Berry II surpassed Michael Jordan on UNC’s all-time career scoring list in the Tar Heels’ 84-66 win over Lipscomb in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday.

The senior guard passed Jordan, who only played three years in Chapel Hill, with a 3-pointer early in the second half, giving him 1,790 career points. He’s currently 13th all time in UNC history with 1,792 points. Next up on the list is Bobby Lewis, who finished with 1,836. Berry II’s former teammate Marcus Paige is just ahead of Lewis with 1,844. Tyler Hansbrough is the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,872 points, an ACC record.

Berry II has enjoyed a terrific career in Carolina blue. The Apopka, Florida native spent his freshman year backing up Paige. But he joined the starting lineup as a sophomore, taking over point guard duties from Paige, who moved to shooting guard. Berry II averaged 12.8 points per game his sophomore year as the Tar Heels headed to the championship game. Berry II scored 20 points in the national championship game but North Carolina fell to Villanova on a buzzer beater by Kris Jenkins.

Following Paige’s graduation, Berry II took over the backcourt as a junior, averaging 14.7 points and leading UNC to a national title. Despite playing on two sprained ankles, Berry II scored 22 points in the title game, helping him earn the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. This season Berry II is averaging a career-high 17.1 points per game.

Berry II also made the exclusive 1,700-point, 400-rebound, 400-assist club against Lipscomb, joining Walter Davis as the only two Tar Heels to reach all three of those marks.

Berry II finished with 14 points on 6-of-15 shooting against the Bisons. The Tar Heels will face Texas A&M in the Round of 32 in Charlotte on Sunday.

North Carolina’s Joel Berry II (2) drives against Lipscomb’s Michael Buckland (3) during the first half of a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
North Carolina’s Joel Berry II (2) drives against Lipscomb’s Michael Buckland (3) during the first half of a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, March 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

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