Where do I start? No, really, where? Is it his 21 double-doubles this season? What about the 39-point, 23-rebound outing against Florida State? Or is it any number of his rim-rattling alley-oops, sending the Smith Center crowd to its feet?
Brice Johnson was left off the finalist list for the Naismith Player of the Year this weekend. Was he going to win? Maybe. Did he deserve to make the list? Absolutely.
When word got out that Marcus Paige was going to miss the first four weeks of the season with a broken hand, some Tar Heel fans were worried. Who will lead the team in his absence?
Johnson answered the call. And he has done so in a resounding fashion.
He has averaged 16.8 points and 10.5 rebounds thus far, both team highs. He leads the team in field goal percentage, blocks and free-throw percentage.
When the guards are struggling, Johnson has proved to be an easy two points in the post, with a quick spin and jump shot. His ability to take over a game has been invaluable for the Tar Heels late in games.
Amazingly, he has more rebounds than Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks combined, though the pair have played about 300 more total minutes than him.
And in a sport filled with one-and-dones and players running to the NBA, Johnson improved in nearly every statistical category in each of his four seasons, with his most drastic up-tick coming in this season, his senior campaign.
But Johnson has been more than just a shot blocker and offensive presence. He’s been the player who brings the crowd to its feet. He’s been the player little kids pretend to be in their backyard. He’s been the man that can bring Roy Williams, the faithful Tar Heel, to tears when he recounts on his career in Carolina Blue.
