UNC Basketball: Cam Johnson scouting report
Despite the University of Pittsburgh blocking Cam Johnson’s transfer request to the University of North Carolina, he maintains his pursuit of becoming a Tar Heel.
Pittsburgh wing Cam Johnson is still in the process of transferring out of the school in hopes of finding a new team.
After playing for the Panthers for three seasons, Johnson is a graduate transfer with two years of eligibility left.
He’s expressed his interest in playing for UNC and even took a visit to campus on Monday but Pittsburgh is blocking a transfer request to any ACC school or a school on their 2017-18 schedule.
Yet, Johnson keeps fighting it.
North Carolina Tar Heels Basketball
As a red-shirt sophomore, Johnson has gradually improved his game throughout his college career.
During his first year in college, Johnson played sparingly.
However, there is a reason for that. Johnson scored 11 points in his collegiate debut against Niagara. He suffered a shoulder injury within the first eight games of his freshman year.
As a result, Johnson averaged 4.5 points and 1.1 rebounds per game as a freshman and made 39.4% of his field goals.
In his sophomore season, Johnson was named to the All-ACC Academic Team. He finished the 2015-16 season with averages of 4.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.7 minutes per game along with a 37.5% three-point percentage.
Johnson scored a career-high 24 points against Syracuse in the 2016 ACC Tournament. In this game, he went 8-of-16 from the field, while hitting four three-pointers.
Despite being overshadowed by All-ACC player Michael Young Jr. and Jamel Artis, Johnson had a breakout season as a junior at Pittsburgh.
He finished the season with averages of 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Johnson maintained a 44.7% field goal percentage, 41.5% three-point percentage and 81% free-throw percentage.
Johnson is listed as a shooting guard and at 6-foot-8, 210-pounds his frame resembles Justin Jackson’s.
Coupled with his style of play, Johnson is versatile enough to play the shooting guard, small forward and power forward (stretch four) positions. His versatility makes him a perfect fit for Roy Williams’ uptempo offense.
He has a nice outside jumper, though he can drive to the basket but his best asset is his shooting.
Johnson commands a great deal of attention and poses matchup problems for other teams. His jumper is difficult to defend due to his height and length.
If he was able to transfer to UNC, he’d be a key piece to a Tar Heels’ roster that took a hit with graduates and early NBA Draft entrants.
He could possibly be one of the stars of the team due to the departures of Jackson, Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks.
Playing alongside Joel Berry and Theo Pinson would benefit Johnson a great deal. Both Berry’s and Pinson’s playing styles complement Johnson’s.
Interesting enough, Johnson could possibly replace someone who he resembles in every facet of the game.
Johnson could come off the bench or start at a number of positions. Imagine a starting lineup of Berry, Pinson, Johnson, Maye and Huffman. Or switch out Huffman with Kenny Williams for a small ball lineup.
The options are limitless when you consider the possibilities with Johnson as a Tar Heel. He has the potential to be a main part of any team’s rotation and has the ability to hit big shots (as evidenced in his scouting highlights below).
If Johnson becomes a Tar Heel next season, UNC has a good chance to play in their third consecutive national championship and possibly repeat as champions.
One thing for sure. If Johnson plays for North Carolina, he will have to stop wearing No. 23.