Voted Preseason ACC POY Brooks was named the 2020-21 ACC Preseason Player of the Year on Wednesday. Impact Brooks is the reigning recipient of the ACC Most Improved Player Award and has already been named to the 2021 Karl Malone Award watchlist, so the stage was set to receive these accolades as well. The choice here was clear, as Brooks ended up getting more than quadruple the votes of the second-place finisher, Virginia's Sam Hauser. Brooks was a double-double machine last year for the Tar Heels, posting 16.9 points and 8.5 rebounds. North Carolina does bring in some talent this year with a pair of five-star forwards in Day'Ron Sharpe and Walker Kessler, but the duo isn't expected to threaten the minutes of Brooks and Armando Bacot in the frontcourt. Brooks simply has more of a supporting cast this year, but when the possessions are most crucial, look for the 6-10 senior to have the ball in his hands.
NOVEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE