UNC Basketball: Roy Williams gives update on injured Cameron Johnson

Graduate transfer Cameron Johnson continues recovery on surgically repaired knee

When former Pittsburgh guard Cameron Johnson announced that he’d be leaving the Panthers in search of a new home, speculation involving his potential transfer to North Carolina began almost immediately.

Once Johnson’s intent to join the Tar Heels became clear, Pittsburgh tried to block his transfer to North Carolina, drawing the ire of just about everyone involved, and even some who were not.

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ESPN analyst and famous NCAA detractor Jay Bilas had no problem calling out both the school and the powers that be which allow an institution to inhibit an amateur athlete from making such a move.

Pittsburgh eventually allowed the transfer and Johnson committed to the Tar Heels. Upon finality of the situation, North Carolina fans were clamoring to see Johnson roaming the perimeter at the Dean Smith Center.

Things took an unexpected turn, though, after Johnson suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee just weeks before the start of the season.

The talented shooter has been out since the injury occurred in practice on November 13th. He had surgery to repair the knee just two days later. Following a successful surgery, the university announced that Johnson would miss approximately four to six weeks of basketball.

Johnson stayed home during the team’s trip to Oregon for the Phil Knight Invitational. His requests to travel with the team were denied after doctors suggested to head coach Roy Williams that it would be better for him to remain in Chapel Hill after undergoing the procedure less than two weeks prior to the trip.

"“I talked to him today and he’s moving around and not having any problem, no crutches or whatever,” Williams said during his radio show on Monday night. “Has a little swelling in there, so have to get the swelling down, but he feels and the doctors feel the surgery went very well.”"

So while it doesn’t appear that Johnson’s prognosis has changed, it sounds as if he’s still on track to return some time near the start of North Carolina’s conference schedule, which begins at the end of December.

Next: UNC vs Michigan game preview

Stick with Keeping It Heel as we follow Johnson throughout his recovery and return to basketball, and likely insertion into the Tar Heels’ starting lineup.