Sydney Barker turned down mid-major scholarship offers for a chance to walk on to her dreams in Chapel Hill. Even before wearing a Carolina uniform, the 5–7 freshman point guard from Durham’s Jordan High School already cherishes her choice.
UNC transfer Okonkwo scores 18 points in close Great Britain loss
James Okonkwo scored 18 points, his highest total of the FIBA U20 European Championships Division B, but it wasn’t enough for his Great Britain team in the first of two consolation-bracket games. After playing before a packed arena in a quarterfinal loss Friday to host North Macedonia, it was back to a mostly-empty Sports Centre Boris Trajkovski arena in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Saturday as the Netherlands pulled out an 82–78 victory over the British team.
Okonkwo hits two 3s, puts up fourth double-double, but Great Britain falls in quarterfinals
UNC transfer big man James Okonkwo produced his fourth double-double in five games, but it wasn’t enough to advance his Great Britain team at the FIBA U20 European Championships Division B. Okonkwo collected 16 points, 10 rebounds, two 3-pointers, two blocks and a steal in the British team’s 66–49 loss to host North Macedonia (4–1) in the quarterfinals at the SRC Kale arena in Skopje, North Macedonia.
Manek scores 13 to top good Summer League night for UNC alums, with teammates Black and Brooks playing each other
It was the best collective day for Tar Heels at the NBA Summer League, including former teammates playing each other. Brady Manek had the best game Thursday with the most playing time in the Atlanta Hawks’ four games after not playing (coach’s decision) in the Hawks’ game on Wednesday.
Watch streaming broadcasts as UNC’s shot-blocking transfer Okonkwo plays three games this weekend at European Championships
This weekend, you’ll get three more chances to watch Carolina junior transfer James Okonkwo play for Great Britain at the FIBA European Championships Division B in Skopje, North Macedonia. Okonkwo has averaged a double-double through four games at 11.8 points and 10.8 rebounds, leading his team in both categories. His rebounding average and 14.5 rebounds per 40 minutes both are second in the tournament.
Where does one national writer see UNC stacking up in ACC men’s basketball?
After a flurry of departures and arrivals in the offseason, where does Carolina’s men’s basketball team stack up against the rest of the ACC? Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports and College Hoops Today projects that the Tar Heels will finish third, with Duke winning the league and Miami finishing second.
UNC transfer Okonkwo swats away six shots, puts up another double-double in Great Britain win
If any player could threaten at least one of Brendan Haywood’s school blocked-shot records, incoming junior transfer James Okonkwo might be the guy. While producing his third double-double in four games at the FIBA European Championships Division B, the big man who is transferring from West Virginia to Carolina swatted away six shots in Great Britain’s 57–54 victory Tuesday over Hungary at KRC Kale arena in Skopje, North Macedonia.
Under face value tickets for next week’s sold-out Chelsea-Wexham match available
If you got sticker shock when you saw the ticket prices in April for the Chelsea FC-Wrexham AFC friendly at Kenan Stadium, you might find tickets more in your price range on secondary markets. Even with prices before fees ranging from $60 to $650 in late April, tickets for next week’s match, at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, sold out in four days.
Orioles pick UNC’s Horvath in the second round
Junior third baseman/outfielder Mac Horvath became the highest Carolina draft pick in three years when the Baltimore Orioles selected him in the second round of the Major League Baseball Draft on Sunday night in Seattle as the 53rd overall pick.
Kelly, young Americans have to settle for silver medal after second loss to veteran Brazil team
The young United States team could deal with any challenge it faced at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup — except a veteran group from Brazil. As a result, UNC senior guard Deja Kelly had to settle for a silver medal. The Americans, with seven players making their senior international debuts and no player older than 22, suffered their second tournament loss to the seasoned Brazilians, 69–58 in Sunday’s gold medal game at Domo de la Feria in León, Mexico.
UNC transfer Okonkwo nets 19 points, has impressive double-double, in Great Britain loss
Big man James Okonkwo, who is transferring from West Virginia to Carolina, showed off his inside scoring prowess on Sunday. Okonkwo collected 19 points and 13 rebounds in his second double-double of the FIBA U20 European Championships Division B, but his Great Britain team lost to Luxembourg 67–60 at the mostly empty Boris Trajkovski Sports Center in Skopje, North Macedonia.
Kelly makes big plays down stretch as USA fights off Canada to make gold-medal game
Deja Kelly and the United States team fought off a tough Canada squad Saturday night to earn a spot in FIBA Women’s AmeriCup gold-medal game. Kelly scored eight points and made some big plays down the stretch as the Americans held on for a 67–63 victory at Domo de la Feria in León, Mexico, and will face Brazil (6–0) in the Sunday’s gold-medal game at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Incoming UNC transfer Okonkwo pulls down 10 rebounds in Great Britain loss
It was a tough day for James Okonkwo’s Great Britain team in a nearly empty gym in Skopje, North Macedonia, far from the atmosphere he’ll see in the ACC next season. The British team lost to Portugal 63–56 on the second day of pool play at the FIBA U20 European Championships Division B. Portugal led by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter.
Manek leads Hawks with 17 points, 5 3-pointers in NBA Summer League opener
Brady Manek showed NBA scouts what Carolina fans know well — that he is a dangerous perimeter shooter. In his first game playing for the Atlanta Hawks’ Summer League team, Manek scored 17 points and five 3-pointers, both team-highs, in the Hawks’ 80–76 loss Friday to the Sacramento Kings in Atlanta’s NBA Summer League opener.
Kelly’s USA team rolls into AmeriCup semifinals
Deja Kelly’s United States team advanced to the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup semifinals on Friday, coasting to a victory over Colombia. The Americans’ first eight baskets came from eight players as they took control early and coasted to a 68–49 win in a quarterfinal game at Domo de la Feria in León, Mexico.
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