All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball Guard Named Preseason ACC Rookie of the Year

Elliot Cadeau could become UNC basketball's first ACC Rookie of the Year in 13 years.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball guard Elliot Cadeau (Rodd Baxley-USA TODAY Sports)
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No UNC basketball player has become the ACC Rookie of the Year since Harrison Barnes in 2011, one of five times between 2000 and 2011 that the honor went to a Tar Heel.

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But this go-round, the media's preseason selection is a Tar Heel in beyond-his-years playmaker Elliot Cadeau. The 19-year-old New York native received 40 of the 51 votes.

Cadeau, a five-star prospect who arrived in Chapel Hill this summer at No. 11 overall and No. 2 among point guards on the 247Sports 2023 Composite after reclassifying from 2024, will likely be the starting floor general from the get-go for the Tar Heels alongside senior guard RJ Davis.

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Last season's ACC Rookie of the Year honor went to Duke basketball forward Kyle Filipowski. The Blue Devils account for nine (Austin Rivers, Jabari Parker, Jahlil Okafor, Brandon Ingram, Marvin Bagley III, Zion Williamson, Vernon Carey Jr., Paolo Banchero, Filipowski) of the 12 award winners since Harrison Barnes collected the hardware.

Outside of Filipowski (now the media's preseason pick to win ACC Player of the Year) and Boston College's Olivier Hanlan in 2013, all the winners following Barnes' ACC Rookie of the Year campaign have been one-and-done collegians.

Nine UNC basketball talents have been ACC Rookie of the Year honorees, behind Duke's 14 and Georgia Tech's 11.

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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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