Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Injury Update: Donovan “Puff” Johnson

By Nick Delahanty

Dec 30, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Jose Alvarado (10) grabs a rebound from North Carolina Tar Heels guard Puff Johnson (14) in the first half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Jose Alvarado (10) grabs a rebound from North Carolina Tar Heels guard Puff Johnson (14) in the first half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Will the UNC basketball team be without freshman Puff Johnson for the second straight game on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh?

Tuesday night’s game is a “homecoming game” for UNC basketball freshman Puff Johnson.

The 6-foot-8 freshman wing was born in Pittsburgh, PA. He was born and raised in the area, and played three of his four high school basketball seasons at Moon Area High School before transferring to Hillcrest Prep in Arizona. The move to Arizona made sense considering that his older brother and former Tar Heel Cameron Johnson was drafted by the Phoenix Suns.

The Johnson family has plenty of ties to not only the Pittsburgh area, but also the Panthers basketball program. Cam spent his first three collegiate seasons with the program before he transferred to Chapel Hill for his final two seasons of eligibility.

As you’d expect, Puff would love to play in his first appearance in his home town. However, the chances of him suiting up on Tuesday night seem to be very slim.

According to Roy Williams, it doesn’t seem like Johnson will play against the Panthers. If he doesn’t play, it will mark the second straight contest in which the freshman will not be available.

On Friday, prior to the team’s home contest against N.C. State, Johnson injured his toe in practice. According to the team, they are calling it a “sprained toe,” as he was seen in a walking boot during the team’s 86-76 victory against the Wolfpack.

On a conference call with the media on Monday, here’s what Williams had to say regarding the status of Puff Johnson:

"“Puff has done well and he’s gotten better and better and he’s going to be a really, really good player for us long term,” Williams said. “I don’t know if it’s going to be this year, but he’s going to be a really, really good player. His older brother, Cam, was what you’d call a late developer, late bloomer, and who knows if Puff is going to do that at that level. And he may develop even quicker than Cam did, but he hurt his foot, jammed his toe or something.“I think he’s jammed it. I think they’re calling it a sprained toe, but he was in boot during the game. Yesterday, he was not in a boot, but he did not practice. I don’t see him practicing today. We will still take him to Pittsburgh unless our trainer tells me this afternoon that would not be the proper thing to do. But (I) love him to death as a kid and he’s going to be a big-time player.”"

Early on this season, Johnson has seen limited action. He has appeared in 14 games, but has averaged just over four minutes per-contest.

Coming into the season, it was expected that Johnson would need some more time to develop. Although his role has been minimal thus far, Williams and the Tar Heels coaching staff seem to have high expectations for Johnson moving forward.

If Johnson is unable to play tonight, he’ll have a week to try to get back on the court. The Tar Heels won’t take the court again until February 2 as they’ll travel to Clemson for another ACC contest.

Next. UNC Basketball: Caleb Love named ACC freshman of the week. dark

Continue to follow the Keeping It Heel team for the latest news and updates regarding Puff Johnson and the UNC basketball program.

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