Written during the 2017 Carolina Sports Journalism Camp @ UNC-Chapel Hill
NOTES: Pretty raw but this is one of my first profiles without a Journalism class at this point.
by Christian Clark
"1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009, and now 2017. North Carolina is the doggone champions!," an elated Jones Angell exclaimed. Those were the last words said on air before the confetti dropped on North Carolina's men's basketball team. As the team flew back home, it was easy to get lost in the excitement. Among those players in Phoenix was unheralded standout, Theo Pinson.
"Probably Tuesday," Pinson laughed as he thought about when he officially turned the page to the 2017-18 season. "I'm still on the high from being a champion."
However, while most UNC fans were rushing to Franklin Street for championship gear, Pinson and his team refused to take the bait.
"Don't take it for granted," Pinson said. "We don't wear National Championship gear in the streets."
During a title run and the offseason, the vast majority of college basketball fans look over at the portrayed "media darlings." In the Tar Heels case this season, it was Joel Berry II, Justin Jackson, and Kennedy Meeks. That being said, often times it is the cliche "role" player that becomes the glue of the team.
Despite showing superstar flashes at UNC, Pinson has been seemingly overshadowed by his fellow teammates during his colligate years. Players including Marcus Paige, Justin Jackson, Brice Johnson, and many others have stolen the show on the court. However, it may very well be Pinson's infectious spirit that rubs the right way on his teammates. His antics became headlined in a press conference in 2016's Elite Eight game against Notre Dame. He cleverly stepped in the press room as his teammates were answering questions from the media.
"Where's my chair?," Pinson chuckled. He got a typical Roy Williams reaction of, "I have to go through this every doggone day" with the media giggling behind. College basketball players are assumed to "stay in line" but Pinson may have been just what the Heels needed to get them over the top and to begin their quest towards a repeat title.
Pinson has been highly touted by NCAA scouts since his freshman season in the Carolina Blue. Unfortunately, his growth as a player had been stunted as he was forced to deal with injury problems that have plagued him since his high school days. His work ethic and positive attitude helped him get past the hardships of his early misfortunes to become an important role model for the Heels. Looking back, Pinson said he has no regrets about his three years at Chapel Hill. With several Tar Heels slated for the NBA, Pinson is ready to finish what he started.
"It's not hard to focus in on the new season. I knew I was coming back the whole time," Pinson said. "Personally, I wanted to play a full season with injuries my past two years. I was mentally prepared to play. Just give me a chance to be out there (on the court)."
Pinson did get his chance as he was slotted into the March Madness tournament as the "sixth man."
With North Carolina in a dogfight against Kentucky, his key decision propelled Carolina back into the Final Four. With under eight seconds left and the game tied, Pinson received the inbounds pass and raced up the court. With under three ticks to go, the selfless Pinson found an open lane to his teammate, Luke Maye, who eventually converted the game winning shot to lift the Heels to victory.
"I'm gonna be me regardless," said Pinson. As the Heels have learned in the past year, sometimes letting "boys be boys" is better than having it the "coaches way or the highway."
Pinson may not have been the traditional superstar during UNC's title run but as he states it best eying next season, "What better way than to go out champions?"
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