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UNC Basketball: Kerwin Walton earns ACC honor

ByZack Pearson|
CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 12: Kerwin Walton #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles the ball during a game against the North Carolina Central Eagles on December 12, 2020 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 67-73. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 12: Kerwin Walton #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles the ball during a game against the North Carolina Central Eagles on December 12, 2020 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 67-73. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images)

With the UNC Basketball program on the bubble and needing a win over Louisville on Saturday, their freshmen delivered in a big way backed by strong performances from Kerwin Walton, Day’Ron Sharpe and Walker Kessler.

Now, one of those freshmen has picked up Atlantic Coast Conference honors for the first time this season.

On Monday, the ACC announced that Walton has been named the conference’s freshman of the week for his play in two games last week. This is the first time Walton has won the award in his brief UNC career but is now the fourth different Tar Heel freshman to earn the honor, a new program record.Β  It’s also just the second time in ACC history it has been done, joining Wake Forest from 1978-79 in doing so:

Walton was huge for the Tar Heels in their wins over Northeastern and Louisville last week, averagingΒ 16.5 points and 3 assists per game. He shot 12 of 20 from the field including 8 of 14 from the three point line. On the season, Walton is now shooting 46.7 percent from the three-point line and 49 percent total from the field.

The freshman has developed into UNC’s best shooter from the three-point line and has put together an impressive first season in Chapel Hill. As part of this loaded class for 2020, Walton is establishing himself as a player who looks like he’s going to get better and better as the seasons go on, a good sign for Roy Williams and his staff.

With UNC’s NCAA Tournament chances improving, it’s players like Walton that could be a big factor in terms of how far they can advance come the postseason. If he stays hot like this, UNC’s chances certainly get a little better.

For more on the UNC Basketball program, please make sure to check back with Keeping It Heel.

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