Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Puff Johnson’s hot hand leads Hillcrest Prep to victory

By Blake Cockrum

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: Rameses, the North Carolina Tar Heels mascot, is seen as they take on the Iona Gaels during the first half of the game in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - MARCH 22: Rameses, the North Carolina Tar Heels mascot, is seen as they take on the Iona Gaels during the first half of the game in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Class of 2020 UNC basketball commit Puff Johnson led Hillcrest Prep to victory on Saturday night.

Puff Johnson, a 4-star small forward in the class of 2020, is the younger brother of former University of North Carolina standout and current Phoenix Suns wing Cameron Johnson. But the younger Johnson didn’t get to this point on the coattails of his older brother. He’s earned his stripes, and the four stars next to his name, thanks, in part, to performances like he had on Saturday night.

The 6-foot-7, 185-pound senior out of Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, Arizona led his squad to victory with a team-high 16 points. He connected on 6-of-13 shots for the game, and 3-of-6 from three-point range. He added eight rebounds, three steals, two assists and a block in the Crusaders’ 64-54 victory over National Christian Academy.

Johnson is averaging 13.9 points, eight rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.6 blocks per game on the season. He should be a tremendous addition to a North Carolina team that returns a pair front court starters in Garrison Brooks and Armando Bacot, as well as welcoming in one of the nations best recruiting classes. His ability to knock down perimeter shots when his feet are set is excellent, and he should help the Tar Heels create better spacing when he’s on the floor.

Johnson is ranked No. 47 in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite for 2020. He’s 12th among players at his position, and third in the state of Arizona.

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