Harrison Barnes' "Black Falcon" nickname came from ESPN

Posted Jan 28, 2011
How did UNC freshman Harrison Barnes get ‘The Black Falcon’ as a nickname? Credit ESPN. “When I was at the Jordan Game, myself, Jared Sullinger, and Kyrie Irving got a tour of ESPN,’’ Barnes said today. “ They gave us [each] nicknames. “I said I wanted mine to be an animal, because Michael Jordan was the ‘Black Cat’ and Kobe was the ‘Black Mamba,’” Barnes said. “And they just gave me the ‘Black Falcon.’ (Raleigh News & Observer)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

Caleb Wilson speaks to reporters for first time since season-ending injury
Caleb Wilson, who has missed UNC's last eight basketball games, was asked how he was feeling following the Tar Heels' ACC Tournament loss to Clemson...
Fri Mar 13, 2026

UNC players proud of fight in ACC Tournament, wish desperation had come earlier
For most of Thursday night, North Carolina looked out of sync. "I’m proud of our guys for fighting, but we shouldn’t have been in that...
Fri Mar 13, 2026

Chansky’s Notebook: One-and-Done in Charlotte
In UNC's four previous trips to the ACC Tournament under coach Hubert Davis, the Tar Heels hadn’t claimed a conference championship, but they had never...
Fri Mar 13, 2026

Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe to have season-ending surgery
Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ligament in his left thumb after playing in 62...
Fri Mar 13, 2026