Akot, Brooks to rep UNC at ACC Tipoff

[BenSherman]

UNC press release

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The countdown is on for the 2026-27 campaign in North Carolina women’s basketball, with the Atlantic Coast Conference announcing attendees for the 2026 ACC Tipoff on Oct. 5, featuring Achol Akot and Nyla Brooks joining head coach Courtney Banghart in Charlotte.
Showing her spark off the bench in her rookie campaign, Brooks impressed across the board with 8.6 points per game and 63 total triples on 37.7% shooting from beyond the arc.
Posting 18 games in double-figure scoring, Brooks made her presence known from deep by leading the ACC among freshmen with 1.75 threes per game. Her efforts earned her a spot on the All-ACC Freshman team, the fourth rookie Tar Heel to do so in the Banghart era.
Akot is set to don Carolina Blue after spending one season at Oklahoma State, becoming one of the most efficient players from the floor in the Big 12. Starting in all 34 games for the Cowgirls, Akot picked up Honorable Mention All-Big 12 accolades after shooting 63.3% from the floor to rank second in the league.
As a junior, the Canadian posted 21 games in double-figure scoring and six games with 20 or more points. In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Akot scored a career-high 28 points in the win over Princeton.
Entering year eight in Chapel Hill, Banghart and co. are coming off back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances and their third in the last five seasons. Touted as the No. 9 team in the nation in ESPN’s Way Too Early Top 25, Carolina brings back eight from last season’s squad while welcoming six newcomers to the fold in four experienced transfers and two highly touted freshmen.
North Carolina begins the 2026-27 campaign with two marquee matchups, first traveling to Paris, France to take on Oklahoma in the 2026 Oui Play on Nov. 2. The Tar Heels then return to the States on Nov. 8, facing off against South Carolina in Charlotte for the Ally Tipoff.
Fans have the chance to catch Carolina in action in preseason play, with an exhibition against Davidson on Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. ET from Carmichael Arena.
2026 ACC Tipoff gets underway at 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Oct. 5, with Banghart, Brooks, and Toomey set to talk all things Tar Heel to preview the 2026-27 season.

 

[kystroup]

Love Brooks being the face of the program. Expecting big things from her and Akot

 

[3397char]

a sophomore and an incoming transfer. Interesting.

That probably is the closest we will get to confirmation that these two will be game 1 starters.

 

[Jriv23]

a sophomore and an incoming transfer. Interesting.

That probably is the closest we will get to confirmation that these two will be game 1 starters.

Also, we do not know if it was a class schedule conflict and those two schedules aloud them to represent UNC. I do not see a problem with them going. I do not think it is interesting at all. We do not have all of the facts, like how does CB chose who will go, Does the ACC have certain criteria for schools to select those that are coming, etc.

 

[3397char]

Also, we do not know if it was a class schedule conflict and those two schedules aloud them to represent UNC. I do not see a problem with them going. I do not think it is interesting at all. We do not have all of the facts, like how does CB chose who will go, Does the ACC have certain criteria for schools to select those that are coming, etc.

good point on scheduling And coach’s selection criteria.

But If Akot or Brooks did not start, I believe it would be the first time ever we took a game 1 non-starter to the ACC tip-off.

 

[tarboy]

JMO: PG Kate,2G Reniya/Clardy/Burrows , 3F Nyla B,4F Akot, 5C Toomey. Take your pick at 2G