The ACC Network added a pair of big-name former athletes to their coverage of the conference. Former North Carolina Basketball players Joel Berry II and KJ Smith were unveiled as contributors to network programming this week.
Berry II is joining as a weekly panelist on Nothing But Net, while Smith is appearing on All ACC and will be a consistent voice on their social media platforms. The 2021-22 College Basketball season is less than a month away from tipoff.
Berry and Smith debut on the network this week as the ACC powerhouses get set for hardwood action.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Joel and KJ to our ACC Network family. Their engaging personalities and knowledge of the game will be immediate assets to our studio coverage,” said coordinating producer Aaron Katzman in a press release. “Joel makes our Nothing But Net team even more decorated with two Most Outstanding Players and NCAA champions in Joel and Luke Hancock and national champion, NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist Carlos Boozer, while KJ will elevate both our studio programming and the content on our ACCN social platforms.”
Berry II should be used to pressure situations as he gets set to start this new venture with ACC Network. The guard was crucial in UNC’s path to consecutive National Title Game appearances in 2016 and 2017. He won the 2017 NCAA Most Outstanding Player award after UNC captured the National Title.
“ACC basketball holds a special place in my heart, and being blessed with the opportunity to play in the best conference in the nation was a dream come true,” said Berry. “It doesn’t get any better than joining ACC Network and having the chance to cover high-level basketball that comes with playing in this conference. I’m honored to have this opportunity, and I’m excited to join the team and get started.”
Smith suited up at Carolina in 50 games from 2018-21, helping them reach the NCAA Tournament in 2019 and 2021. He most recently covered high school and college basketball for On3 Sports.
“I’m thrilled to be joining ACC Network,” said Smith. “During my time at UNC, I fell in love with ACC basketball, and now I can’t wait to cover it. It’s going to be a fun season and I am excited to contribute.”