The UNC women's basketball program will be well-represented at the 2026 ACC Tipoff event in Charlotte next week.
Last season, veterans Indya Nivar and Reniya Kelly represented the program at this annual event, which allows the media to get a closer look at each team before the new season begins. This year, one returner and a very promising transfer portal addition will accompany head coach Courtney Banghart.
Akot and Brooks to represent UNC at the 2026 ACC Tipoff Event
Senior forward Achol Akot and sophomore guard Nyla Brooks will represent the UNC women's basketball program at the 2026 ACC Tipoff event.
About Time for Talking Season 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/kPowRpvlx5
— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) September 29, 2026
This is a great chance for Tar Heel fans to get to know Akot, a senior from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The 6-foot-1 forward has had quite the college journey, making two previous stops before landing in Chapel Hill.
Last season, Akon was an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 selection, ranking eighth in the conference with 7.2 rebounds per game. Her 63.3% field-goal percentage was the second-best among Big 12 qualifiers, and her best outing was a 28-point outburst against Princeton in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
North Carolina hopes that Akot can anchor the frontcourt for potentially the next two seasons.
As for Brooks, does she even need an introduction?
Brooks wasted no time becoming a fan favorite in Chapel Hill, as she may actually bleed Carolina blue. The former McDonald's All-American had a good freshman season in a reserve role and showed flashes of greatness, including a game against Wake Forest in which she drained five three-pointers en route to a career-high 21 points.
There's a good chance that won't be her career-high in points when she's done playing at UNC!
An ACC All-Freshman team selection a season ago, Brooks aims to build upon her successful freshman season. You can expect her to play a major role this year as she takes the next step in her development.
It will be great to hear what this trio has to say on Monday, October 5, when they meet with the media for this event. Not only is it a chance for the media to ask about the teams ahead of the new season, but it also provides the players (and coaches) the opportunity to showcase their true personalities.
From what we've seen during the Banghart era in Chapel Hill, this team is another group that fans will absolutely love.
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