David J. Phillip/Associated Press
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Joel Berry II won't show anyone what's in his wallet. The secrecy is not about the money—in fact, that's clipped to the outside—or the cards or the IDs. It's about a plain piece of folded notebook paper he keeps tucked inside. If you glanced at it, you probably wouldn't think twice about it, but it is one of Berry's most important possessions. On it, he has written his basketball goals. And with it, he visualizes achieving them.
Throughout his three seasons at North Carolina, Berry has penciled in a check mark next to almost every item—Be a big-time player for the team; Be the best shooter I can be; Win an ACC regular-season championship; Win an ACC tournament; Go to the Final Four—but one bullet point remains.