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North Carolina Basketball: Cameron Johnson to suit up for Tar Heels in 2017-18

By Daniel Benjamin

Feb 25, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Cameron Johnson (23) grabs a loose ball against North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) and forward Theo Pinson (1) during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Cameron Johnson (23) grabs a loose ball against North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) and forward Theo Pinson (1) during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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The North Carolina Tar Heels 2017-18 National Title hopes got a huge bump with the addition Cam Johnson.

Former Pitt guard Cameron Johnson announced his commitment to the North Carolina Tar Heels on Tuesday. He did so despite the fact that Pitt has refused to release him to play at any ACC school. Johnson, who graduated this spring, is eligible to play in 2017-18 due to the NCAA graduate transfer rules.

It is not that Pitt won’t allow Johnson to transfer to UNC or another ACC Institute. The problem centers around the fact that the Panthers do not want the 6’8″ small forward to play against them this upcoming season. He has two years of eligibility left.

Johnson seems confident that he will be able to suit up for Tar Heels immediately.

"“On June 2, I was informed that the NCAA had determined that Pitt’s attempt to make me ‘serve a year of residence prior to being eligible for competition’ does not apply to graduate transfers per bylaw 14.6.1.,“According to the NCAA, this bylaw means graduate transfers must be immediately eligible or totally denied from attending a school. Having already won the right to “immediately receive athletically related financial aid” from an ACC institution at my appeal hearing, I believe, as does my family’s legal counsel, that I should be immediately eligible at North Carolina.”"

The following is Johnson’s letter making his case to be granted his full release from Pitt.

If Johnson is able to play in 2017-18, it would be a big coup for the Tar Heels. UNC (33-7) is coming off its second National Title under Roy Williams. Carolina lost seven players from last year’s squad including two underclassmen to the NBA Draft.

Johnson, one of the top available transfers, will likely be looked to step in and start on the wing — replacing 2017 NBA prospect Justin Jackson. Johnson is currently a borderline NBA prospect though he can help his stock dramatically by having a productive year or two. He is long and athletic which helps him on the defensive end. However, his offensive abilities are miles ahead of his defensive abilities.

Johnson is more of a scorer than a shooter, but the Pittsburgh area native made tremendous strides in the shooting department last season. He averaged 11.9 points along with 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 dimes while shooting 44.9% from the field as well as 41.7% from beyond the arc. Marking the first time that he shot over 40% from both the field and the three-point line in a season.

Johnson is not the only newcomer that Carolina will count on this year. Williams brought in the 17th best 2017 recruiting class per ESPN. 6’3, five-star guard Jake Felton leads the recruiting class that also includes three four-star recruits and one three-star recruit.

Next: 2017 NBA Draft: Which players should have stayed in school?

Veterans Joel Berry, Theo Pinson, and Luke Maye also return for Carolina. Sophomores Brandon Robinson and Seventh Woods are breakout candidates.

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