GLENDALE, Ariz. _ North Carolina point guard Joel Berry II had declared his injured ankles 85 percent healthy before the Final Four.
He was 100 percent important to the Tar Heels' championship Monday night against Gonzaga.
Berry scored 22 points, fighting through ankle injuries that have lingered, and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. He made all four of the Tar Heels' 3-pointers, shooting 7 of 19 overall from the field and dishing out six assists.
The junior twisted both ankles during the NCAA tournament, hurting the right one against Texas Southern in the first round and then injuring the left one in the Elite Eight against Kentucky.
Berry appeared to be hampered during the Final Four victory against Oregon on Saturday night, when he shot 2 of 14 from the field but played 35 minutes. He was held out of practice Sunday.
"I never lose confidence in myself," he said Monday.
