North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes will return for his sophomore season instead of declaring for the NBA draft.
Barnes, a 6-foot-8 forward and the Atlantic Coast Conference rookie of the year, averaged about 16 points per game and was widely regarded as the nation’s top freshman entering the season.
Speculation about his status lingered for the past two weeks.
Barnes helped the Tar Heels win the ACC regular-season championship before getting within a game of the Final Four. He was rumored to be thinking about the NBA Draft.
In a statement from the school Monday, Barnes said the team was preparing for a “special season” with the goal of winning a national championship.
Tar Heels fans are ecstatic about the news.
“Harrison Barnes returns to UNC!” KrisHolmes1 tweeted. “Better hide your kids, your wives and your husbands cause the Heels are gonna find you!!! National Champs!”
Barnes’ decision means the Tar Heels will return all five starters.
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