EL SEGUNDO – The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Joel Berry II, it was announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released. Berry II was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2017 NCAA Final Four after leading North Carolina to a National Championship. As a senior last season, Berry II earned First Team All-ACC honors with averages of 17.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.1 minutes per game. The Orlando, FL native played in 144 career games (112 starts) for the Tar Heels, notching 12.7 points (.420 FG%), 3.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 27.6 minutes per game.<doc-sep>Yesterday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers annnounced that former UNC star Joel Berry II officially signed a contract with their organization. The news initially broke via Berry’s instagram page, which included a picture of the Florida-native signing off on the papers: Due to team policy, the Lakers did not announce what the terms of the deal were. It is likely that Berry will be playing for the Lakers’ G-League affiliate during the 2018-19 season, but whether it is a one-way or or a two-way contract is unknown. What we do know, however, is that Berry will get a chance to play for a team that has one a surreal amount of championships ever since the NBA was formed back in 1946. In fact, they are second place for the most titles since the league was formed, with the Boston Celtics having the most. The Lakers have also had their fair amount of notable UNC players throughout the years, including James Worthy, Rick Fox, and Sam Perkins, to name a few. The signing of Joel Berry II comes off of the heels of the Lakers making it to the NBA Summer League championship, before falling to the Portland Trailblazers 91-73. Berry was unable to play in any of the games due to an ankle injury, and so it was unclear as to whether or not the Lakers saw anything since the draft that would have given them the incentive to offer a deal. The Lakers also have been very busy this off-season, acquiring the best (active) player in the NBA, LeBron James. Other acquisitions this offseason include former New Orleans Pelican Rajon Rondo, former Golden State Warrior player JaVale McGee, and of course, the man that for some reason blew in LeBron’s ear years ago and sparked one of my favorite memes, Lance Stephenson. These moves have made the Lakers a potential contender in the Western Conference, although the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets are likely to be the teams to beat in the playoffs. So the million-dollar question is: can we expect to see Joel Berry II suit up for the Los Angeles Lakers this year? If I have to make a prediction, I would say probably not. The Lakers have a good amount of talented point guards, and will primarily rely on Lonzo Ball, Rajon Rondo, and knowing how the Cavs used him, LeBron James. I will say, however, that in the NBA anything is possible, so it will at least be something to keep an eye on. The most important thing for Berry this coming season is to see as much time on the court as possible and to keep developing his game. Going from the G-League to the NBA is tough, but as we all know, Berry is also a really tough guy. He will undoubtedly give his all with the opportunity provided to him, and it will be exciting to see what the future holds for him. We wish Joel Berry the best of luck, and as always, Go Heels!<doc-sep>The Los Angeles Lakers have signed undrafted rookie free agent Joel Berry II out of the University of North Carolina, the team announced on Wednesday. Though terms of Berry’s deal have not yet been disclosed, it’s likely the deal is only at most partially guaranteed. It’s also possible the Lakers have signed Berry to an Exhibit 10 deal, which would allow them to convert his non or partially guaranteed contract to a two-way contract. The latter would make sense if the team is planning on releasing Malik Newman or Alex Caruso, who currently vacate both of the Lakers’ two-way spots. Berry was part of the Lakers’ 13-man summer league roster, but didn’t play in a single game due to an ankle injury. However, Berry was so impressive during his four-year collegiate career that the Lakers have offered him a contract. In his senior season at UNC, Berry averaged 17.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.1 minutes per game. His stellar performance last season earned him All-ACC honors and consideration for John Wooden award. He was also named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament in 2017, the year North Carolina won. Heres what Silver Screen and Roll’s in-house draft express had to say about the 23-year-old point guard in his thorough Lakers summer league preview: “If you have watched college basketball at all over the past three seasons, you have been exposed at some level to Berry, a consistent presence on some very successful UNC squads that twice reached the NCAA title game. NBA scouts and front offices are victims of familiarity as much as the rest of us, so seeing someone with Berry’s background managing to catch on with a team in this environment is unsurprising – teams are comfortable with the big programs, the systems and coaches the players in those programs operate under, and how players of similar ilk have made the transition in the past. This is relevant to Berry since he does not have an awful lot going for him as a prospect, being a relatively diminutive guard who has always relied on rather inconsistent shooting volume from behind the arc (a big drop to a 34.4 3P% his senior year after 37.6% and 38.3% marks the previous two years) to fill in his points, while only being a so-so distributor for someone who can only play and defend one position at the next level.” The chances of the Lakers using their 15th roster spot on a fringe NBA prospect are slim, but then again, they did willingly sign Tyler Ennis last season. Expect a number of new signings to be announced in the coming weeks as the Lakers prep their roster for training camp in September. Teams can have up to 20 players before the start of the regular season.<doc-sep>
GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: Joel Berry II #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts following a play against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. North Carolina defeated Gonzaga 71-65. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) Los Angeles Lakers still where LiAngelo Ball wants to be by Jessica Slate As the Los Angeles Lakers are filling out their roster for training camp in September, the most recent prospect signing is Joel Berry II out of the University of North Carolina Los Angeles Lakers rumors haven’t stopped despite most of their work being done in free agency. The Los Angeles Lakers training camp begins in September, and they are beginning to fill up their 20-man roster. Expect a number of signings leading up to camp as the Lake Show look to add depth to their bench. The most recent of those signings is Joel Berry II, the undrafted guard out of UNC. After not hearing his name called in the 2018 NBA Draft, Berry II was added to the Lakers’ Summer League team. However, he did not play a single game due to a nagging ankle injury. Despite that, the team took a chance and signed him to a deal–the details of which are unknown. Berry was a four-year player at North Carolina and was the 2017 Final Four Most Outstanding Player; inevitably leading the Tar Heels to the National Championship. As a senior last season, he earned First Team All-ACC honors with averages of 17.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.1 minutes per game. Based on the nature of his signing, it is assumed that Berry’s contract is only partially guaranteed. He will likely spend a majority of his time playing for Los Angeles’s G-League affiliate the South Bay Lakers. Whether or not his contract is one or two-way has not been announced per team policy. However, it is also entirely possible that the Lakers have signed Berry to an Exhibit 10 deal, which would allow them to convert his non or partially guaranteed contract into a two-way contract at some point during the season. Apply to Lake Show Life. Start your application process by filling out the fields below Either way, he probably will not see much floor time in a Lakers’ uniform. With a backcourt solidified by the pairing of Lonzo Ball and Rajon Rondo, plus the addition of LeBron James who runs point in some sets, minutes are limited. The signing bolsters the Lakers’ bench, which is crucial in a league that is spearheaded by the second unit. However, he may possibly be cut during Lakers’ training camp as they weed their roster down to 15.