All Tar Heels

Former UNC Basketball Forward Catches Fire in Season Opener

UNC basketball's Harrison Barnes wasted no time topping his 2022-23 season-high scoring outing.

Matt Giles

Former UNC basketball forward Harrison Barnes (Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports)
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Former UNC basketball star Harrison Barnes enjoys season openers. On Wednesday night, the 31-year-old Iowa native and former top-ranked prep tallied a game-high 33 points across his 33 minutes on the court to lead his Sacramento Kings to a 130-114 season-opening win at the Utah Jazz.

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It marked Barnes' highest scoring outing, including the postseason, since a 36-point performance in a road win over the Portland Trail Blazers in the Kings' 2021-22 season opener.

Against the Jazz to tip off the squad's 2023-24 campaign, Barnes shot 11-for-16 from the field, 5-for-7 from deep, and 6-for-6 at the line. He added four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and only one turnover.

And the 2015 NBA champion's efficient production began right out of the gates, as he finished the first half with 27 points on a 10-for-11 clip from the floor, including 5-for-5 beyond the arc.

Harrison Barnes went No. 7 overall at the 2012 NBA Draft following his two-year UNC basketball career and is now in his sixth year in Sacramento.

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Last season, he averaged 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 47.3 percent from the field, 37.4 percent from downtown, and 84.7 percent at the charity stripe, playing all 82 games for Sacramento in the regular season. His highest single-game point total was 30.

He and the Kings, who reached the playoffs last season for the first time in 17 years, look to begin 2-0 when they host the team that drafted Barnes, the Golden State Warriors, at 10 p.m. ET Friday.

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Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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