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North Carolina Tar Heels

North Carolina's Joel Berry II "close to 100%" after ankle injury

Nancy Armour
USA TODAY Sports

MEMPHIS — There are no doubts about Joel Berry II’s availability this weekend.

North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II at practice Thursday.

North Carolina’s point guard said Thursday he is “close to 100%” after injuring his right ankle in the first round of the NCAA tournament. He has practiced all week, including the open practice at FedEx Forum ahead of Friday’s game against fourth-seeded Butler.

“I went through the whole practice,” Berry said Thursday afternoon. “It feels pretty good. I mean, I'm almost close to 100%. Just still a little bruising there, but that's the only thing that's bothering me.”

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Berry landed awkwardly and turned his ankle during top-seeded North Carolina’s victory against Texas Southern last Friday. He left the game briefly and did not practice the next day, putting his status for the second round in doubt.

But Berry played 34 minutes against Arkansas, finishing with 10 points, three assists and two steals. He was just 2-for-13 from the field against the Razorbacks, however, well below his average.

“I do think he looks better. He's still not Joel, yet,” coach Roy Williams said. “And some way, somehow, between now and game time tomorrow, he's got to get to be the Joel Berry that we've seen all year and that's played great for us.”

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