UNC Basketball: Cam Johnson blocked from transferring to North Carolina

Cameron Johnson wanted to play for North Carolina in 2017, but the University of Pittsburgh blocked his transfer.

Once again, a college athlete has been negatively impacted by the bureaucratic bylaws of the hypocritical dictatorship known as the NCAA.

This time, it was the University of Pittsburgh hiding behind NCAA legislation in order to protect its own interests, rather than the future of a player who has given the school three years of his time and effort.

Feb 18, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Cameron Johnson (23) dribbles the ball against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. PITT won 80-66. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

In an attempt to prevent Johnson from joining a team that Pittsburgh will play during the 2017-18 season, the university cited NCAA rules when blocking the graduate transfer from joining any program within the ACC.

Heaven knows that those two, or possibly three games, against an ACC opponent would likely cost Pittsburgh a shot at postseason play and national title contention. After all, the Panthers were 16-17 last season, despite having two of the more talented players in the conference in seniors Michael Young and Jamel Artis, both of which exhausted their college eligibility in 2017.

The following was a statement released from the school earlier today:

"“We have remained consistent with our athletic department policy, within NCAA legislation, stipulating student-athletes are restricted from transferring to institutions within the Atlantic Coast Conference and those on our schedule over the next season. Cameron Johnson and his father were informed of our policy as well as the appeals process when they elected to seek to transfer. They went through our transfer appeals process and were granted permission to contact ACC schools however, the committee upheld the policy to limit immediate eligibility within the conference. If Cameron were to transfer within the ACC, he would be eligible to receive financial aid immediately but would have to sit out a year of competition due to standard NCAA transfer regulations. Throughout this process, we have remained consistent to our department policy and we will continue to do so. “"

Yeah, that sounds about right.

Saying that the NCAA misses the forest for the trees would be a compliment. It would also be wrong. That would imply that the multi-billion dollar organization was ignorant rather than negligent, which is obviously not the case.

The NCAA knows exactly what it’s doing, and as long as its reach and level of control remains what it is, situations like this will continue to be the norm. But that is expected from the NCAA at this point.

This time, the onus is on the University of Pittsburgh, its officials and all those responsible for blocking Johnson’s wish to attend North Carolina or any other ACC school without the punishment of having to sit out for a full year.

Best of luck to you, Cam Johnson. And shame on you, Pittsburgh.

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