Barnes staying at North Carolina

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., April 18 (UPI) -- Forward Harrison Barnes, the top freshman in the ACC last season, said he plans to return to North Carolina.

Barnes averaged 15.7 points and was selected to the all-conference second team last season in helping the Tar Heels to a 29-8 record and the ACC regular-season title.

He is the third North Carolina player, joining Tyler Zeller and John Henson, to formally announced intentions to pass on the NBA draft and stay in school.

"As an 18-year old, I'm in the early stages of my life journey," Barnes said in a statement from the school. "I'm honored and blessed for the chance to play in the NBA. And because of my family, teachers, passion and work, I have the ultimate dream of one day playing and experiencing a fulfilling career in the NBA."

North Carolina Coach Roy Williams said: "I am of course excited to have Harrison back on our team next year. It has been a true pleasure to coach him and I look forward to coaching him again next season. He had a difficult decision to make. He really had no wrong decision to choose but I believe he is coming back to school because he enjoys college basketball."