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Harrison Barnes Returning To UNC Basketball, Giving Up Lottery Pick Money

After weeks of rumors, North Carolina Tar Heels star Harrison Barnes has announced he'll return for his sophomore season. He would've had a chance to go in the top two or three picks at the 2011 NBA Draft -- maybe even first, with all the other stars who've chosen to stay in school.

Barnes on his decision:

Opportunities, both beneficial and life changing, can seem to make the next phase of my journey an easy decision. But I am a student-athlete at the University of North Carolina. I'm here to experience college life, grow as a person, receive a quality education, and be part of the greatest basketball family in college sports.    

Don't you just want to high five him? Barnes becomes the third UNC stud to announce his return this offseason, joining Tyler Zeller and John Henson on what very well could be the No. 1 team in the country next year.

For more on UNC sports, visit Carolina March.

Photographs by coka_koehler used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.