Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Tar Heels’ projected 2020-21 starting lineup

By Blake Cockrum

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 21: Garrison Brooks #15, Leaky Black #1 and Anthony Harris #0 of the North Carolina Tar Heels walk back on the court after a timeout in their game against the UCLA Bruins during the CBS Sports Classic at T-Mobile Arena on December 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Tar Heels defeated the Bruins 74-64. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 21: Garrison Brooks #15, Leaky Black #1 and Anthony Harris #0 of the North Carolina Tar Heels walk back on the court after a timeout in their game against the UCLA Bruins during the CBS Sports Classic at T-Mobile Arena on December 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Tar Heels defeated the Bruins 74-64. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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UNC Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 25: Garrison Brooks #15 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a play against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes during their game at Dean Smith Center on January 25, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Garrison Brooks

Garrison Brooks’ inclusion in the Tar Heels’ starting lineup is as obvious as his importance to the team last season. Not only was he North Carolina’s leading scorer (total points, not points per game) and rebounder, he was sixth in the conference in field goal attempts, first in made shots, second in free throw attempts, fifth in made free throws, fourth in points per game and second in total rebounds. To say that his return to Chapel Hill next season is of grave importance is an understatement.

The good news for North Carolina fans? Brooks is expected to come back to UNC for his final season of eligibility in 2020. With him he likely brings the Tar Heels their leading scorer and rebounder — though Armando Bacot could have something to say about that — and best offensive option, bar none. With a probable lack of wing shooters next season, every offensive set should include a Brooks touch, to draw double-teams in the post, and free up shooters, if nothing else. After all, the 6-foot-9, 235-pound forward from Lafayette, Alabama averaged nearly 17 points per game on 53.5 percent shooting last season.

He showed tremendous development from his sophomore to junior season, and he doesn’t even appear to have hit his ceiling yet. He recorded an offensive rating of 115.0 for the season, while scoring 27.5 points and pulling down 13.9 rebounds per 100 possessions. He was even better in conference play when he had an offensive rating of 117.3, while averaging 30 points and 14.3 boards per 100.

With Brooks alongside Bacot in the post, and a host of talented freshmen, including two 5-star recruits, joining the fold next season, the Tar Heels will undoubtedly get back to their winning ways of old. And Brooks could work his way into a first round selection in next year’s NBA Draft in the process.

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