Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Cam Johnson nets 18 as Suns stay unbeaten

By Blake Cockrum

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: Cameron Johnson #23 of the Phoenix Suns is pressured by Terrance Ferguson #23 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: Cameron Johnson #23 of the Phoenix Suns is pressured by Terrance Ferguson #23 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Former UNC basketball standout and Phoenix Suns rookie Cameron Johnson keeps hot hand as streaking Suns win again

Cameron Johnson continued his hot shooting on Monday night, and the Phoenix Suns remain undefeated in the NBA bubble, winning their sixth game of the league’s restart over the Oklahoma City Thunder by a final score of 128-101.

Johnson was in the Suns’ starting lineup for the sixth game in a row, despite getting just one start in his first 49 games of the season prior to the league-wide shutdown in March. And for the fifth time in the last six games — and six of seven dating back to a March 3 matchup with the Toronto Raptors — Johnson notched double-digits in the scoring column.

He scored 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-8 from three-point range and 2-of-2 from the free throw line. He pulled down four rebounds, dished out three assists to just one turnover and had two steals in 32 minutes of play. He’s now averaging better than 14 points and 6.8 rebounds per game over his last six, and shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc. He’s also knocked down each of his 11 attempts from the free throw line during that span.

Johnson’s No. 11 selection in the 2019 NBA Draft was considered a “reach” by most, but he continues to prove exactly why he was worth the pick. Along with Michael Porter, Jr., Ja Morant and Zion Williamson, Johnson is being heralded as one of the bubble’s top rookies, and deservedly so.

Johnson and the Suns may not make it out of the NBA bubble and into the Western Conference playoffs, but he’s definitely found a home in the team’s starting lineup. And with so much of the attention on Devin Booker, Kelly Oubre, Jr. and Deandre Ayton, Johnson could make an absolute killing on the Phoenix perimeter in the years to come.

Next. Tar Heels meet with Kennedy Chandler on Monday. dark

Stick with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on Cameron Johnson, and UNC basketball alumni in the NBA bubble.

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