University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heel senior Chris Gray has been named ACC Offensive Player of the Year.
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Gray, Breschi Earn ACC Honors
May 12, 2021 | Men's Lacrosse
A share of the Atlantic Coast Conference title, the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament field and now two of the four major conference awards for 2021.
The honors continued for the UNC men's lacrosse team Wednesday as senior Chris Gray was named Offensive Player of the Year and Joe Breschi was named ACC Coach of the Year.
The awards were announced on the ACC Network on Wednesday morning. All-ACC teams will be announced on Wednesday afternoon.
The other major awards for 2021 went to Notre Dame's Jack Kielty (Defensive Player of the Year) and Duke's Brennan O'Neill (Freshman of the Year).
Gray is the first Tar Heels to win either Player of the Year honor since Austin Pifani was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2017. The last Tar Heel to be Offensive Player of the Year was Marcus Holman in 2013. Holman is also the only Tar Heel to have won that honor prior to Gray – before the 2012 season, the conference honored just one Player of the Year, not separate offensive and defensive awards. Nine Tar Heels earned that honor on 10 occasions, most recently Billy Bitter in 2010.
Gray leads the ACC this season in goals and points per game and ranks second in assists per game. He has 42 goals and 35 assists this spring for 77 points.
Breschi was named ACC Coach of the Year for the third time, following honors in 2010 and 2013. Now in his 13th season at the Tar Heel helm, the UNC graduate has led his alma mater to an 11-2 record this spring.
Next up for Carolina is a first-round NCAA Tournament matchup with Monmouth on Saturday at Dorrance Field. Game time is noon and tickets are available here.
The Tar Heels also will host a first-round matchup between Duke and High Point on Sunday at 5.
For the full NCAA bracket, click here.
The honors continued for the UNC men's lacrosse team Wednesday as senior Chris Gray was named Offensive Player of the Year and Joe Breschi was named ACC Coach of the Year.
The awards were announced on the ACC Network on Wednesday morning. All-ACC teams will be announced on Wednesday afternoon.
The other major awards for 2021 went to Notre Dame's Jack Kielty (Defensive Player of the Year) and Duke's Brennan O'Neill (Freshman of the Year).
Gray is the first Tar Heels to win either Player of the Year honor since Austin Pifani was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2017. The last Tar Heel to be Offensive Player of the Year was Marcus Holman in 2013. Holman is also the only Tar Heel to have won that honor prior to Gray – before the 2012 season, the conference honored just one Player of the Year, not separate offensive and defensive awards. Nine Tar Heels earned that honor on 10 occasions, most recently Billy Bitter in 2010.
Gray leads the ACC this season in goals and points per game and ranks second in assists per game. He has 42 goals and 35 assists this spring for 77 points.
Breschi was named ACC Coach of the Year for the third time, following honors in 2010 and 2013. Now in his 13th season at the Tar Heel helm, the UNC graduate has led his alma mater to an 11-2 record this spring.
Next up for Carolina is a first-round NCAA Tournament matchup with Monmouth on Saturday at Dorrance Field. Game time is noon and tickets are available here.
The Tar Heels also will host a first-round matchup between Duke and High Point on Sunday at 5.
For the full NCAA bracket, click here.
Players Mentioned
Attackman
/ Men's LacrosseHubert Davis Post-Georgetown Press Conference
Monday, December 08
Carolina Insider: Rapid Reactions – Men’s Basketball vs. Georgetown – December 7, 2025
Monday, December 08
UNC Men's Basketball: Wilson & Veesaar Lead 81-61 Win Over Hoyas
Monday, December 08
UNC Women's Basketball: Tar Heels Take Down Terriers, 82-40
Sunday, December 07