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 Suffers Sprained Left Wrist, UNC Confirms
North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson suffered a sprained left wrist during Monday's loss to Miami, a UNC spokesman confirmed Tuesday. Wilson missed 6 1/2 minutes...
Wed Feb 11, 2026

Video: Tyler Hansbrough Weighs in On UNC Basketball's Loss At Miami
North Carolina Basketball legend Tyler Hansbrough joins the Field of 68 podcast to break down the Tar Heels' "let-down" loss to the Miami Hurricanes on...
Wed Feb 11, 2026

Caleb Wilson Named To Wooden Award Late Midseason Top 20 List
UNC freshman forward Caleb Wilson is one of 20 players to make the 2026 Late Midseason Wooden Award Watch List. Wilson leads the Tar Heels...
Wed Feb 11, 2026

Coby White says he figured he was 'next on the chopping block' in Chicago, thrilled to return home
Coby White said he wasn’t surprised when Chicago Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas informed him last week the team was trading...
Wed Feb 11, 2026