Berry's freshman season was hampered by injury. He averaged 4.2 points and 1.5 assists per game backing up junior Marcus Paige at point guard.
Sophomore season (2015–16)
As a sophomore, Berry moved into the starting lineup at point guard, with Paige shifting over to shooting guard, resulting in a dramatic increase in Berry's offensive production. Berry helped the team to an Atlantic Coast Conferenceregular season title. He then helped the team to an ACC Tournament championship, averaging 17 points per game and coming away with Most Valuable Player honors. In the post-season, Berry and the Tar Heels made the Final Four and 2016 NCAA championship game. During the championship game, Berry scored 20 points and dished out four assists, but North Carolina fell short on a last-second shot to Villanova, 77-74.
Junior season (2016–17)
As a junior, Berry led the Tar Heels to the ACC regular season title. In the NCAA Tournament, despite playing with injuries to both ankles, Berry led the Tar Heels to a 2017 NCAA men's basketball championship. In the national title game against Gonzaga, Berry scored 22 points and had six assists, and was thereafter named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, becoming the first player since Bill Walton to score 20 points or more in back-to-back title games. While Berry was one out of 182 players that declared early entry into the 2017 NBA Draft, he ultimately decided to return to North Carolina for his senior season instead, announcing his decision on April 25, 2017.
Senior season (2017–18)
In his Senior year, Berry led the Tar Heels to the ACC tournament final. Despite losing in the second round of the NCAA tournament, he averaged 17.1 points and 3.2 assists per game and had 93 three-pointers. He was named the winner of the Dean Smith Most Valuable Player award at the 2017-18 UNC men's basketballawards ceremony, and was one of eight finalists for the James E. Sullivan Award, which is presented by the Amateur Athletic Union to the top amateur athlete in the United States. He was also voted a third team All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Berry earned this distinction just two weeks after being named a 2018 first team All-ACC selection.
After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Berry played with the Los Angeles Lakers summer league team, and they signed him to an NBA contract afterwards.On October 8, 2018, he was waived by the Lakers after appearing in three preseason games. He was subsequently signed by the Lakers' G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. On March 2, 2019, Berry was removed from the active roster by the Lakers due to a season-ending injury.
Greensboro Swarm (2019–present)
The Greensboro Swarm, the NBA G League affiliate of the Charlotte Hornets, on September 27, 2019 acquired the rights to Joel Berry II in a trade with the South Bay Lakers. In return, the Swarm sent its second-round selection in the 2019 NBA G League draft to South Bay.. On March 6, 2020 Joel Berry II scored a career high 44 points on 17-for-29 shooting from the field and 8-for-15 from three to go along with two assists and three rebounds in the Greensboro Swarm's 134-129 loss to the Erie Bayhawks..
