North Carolina Basketball: Cameron Johnson Returning to Tar Heels

North Carolina was uncertain about the future of transfer guard Cameron Johnson, but according to reports on Wednesday, he will be back in Chapel Hill for his final collegiate season.

North Carolina landed Cam Johnson in last season’s off season when he transferred from Pittsburgh. Johnson just completed his fourth season this past year for the Tar Heels. He only played eight games in 2014-15. Johnson then completed a full season and averaged 4.8 points per game. He then broke out the next season with almost 12 points per game.

Johnson missed the first 11 games this season. He had a sprained neck for the season opener and then missed the next 10 after tearing his meniscus in his left knee. Johnson returned and came off the bench for six games. The Tar Heels struggled and Roy Williams inserted him into the starting lineup. He quickly became a key part of the offense ever since.

UNC wanted to go big to start the season. Joel Berry, Luke Maye, Theo Pinson and Kenny Williams were all guaranteed spots all season. Garrison Brooks got the start for 16 games. Neither Brooks or Sterling Manley wanted to step up so Johnson got his opportunity.  He’s taller than Pinson at six-foot-seven, but plays like a guard. Johnson fit in as a wing just fine and flourished.

Johnson ended the season averaging the third most points for the Tar Heels at 12.4. He knocked down 47 three-pointers in 26 games. Johnson shot over 34 percent from down town and 42 percent from the field. He averaged a solid 2.3 assists per game and almost five boards.

Johnson is a nice sized guard who can hit from deep and also make drives to the basket. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, he showed signs of what Justin Jackson looked like in his later seasons at North Carolina.

Obviously, it’s far-fetched to completely compare him to Jackson, but at times that’s what his game reminded me of.

On Wednesday afternoon his dad told Inside Carolina of 247Sports that Cam Johnson was returning to North Carolina.

"“Cam decided that he wants to return to North Carolina for his senior season. He recently underwent a minor procedure and is excited to play at UNC another year.”-Gilbert Johnson (Cam’s Father)"

The University announced earlier in the day that Johnson underwent an arthroscopic hip procedure Monday in Minneapolis and is expected to make a full recovery.

There has been some confusion on whether Johnson was returning. We knew that he was being granted a fifth year after graduating from Pitt. Johnson received a  medical redshirt for his eight-game season in 2014-15.

It would almost make sense that Johnson would return to North Carolina. He certainly wasn’t high on any big boards. Johnson would more than likely go undrafted. Johnson hadn’t made a definite decision yet though. Until Wednesday afternoon when we found out for sure.

So according to Jon Rothstein he’s returning without actually coming out and saying it. If Johnson is having surgery it makes sense that he’s going to be a Tar Heel for the 2018-19 season.

It’s a great decision. North Carolina still doesn’t have a true point guard, but their backcourt is going to be loaded with depth. Johnson will certainly be in the starting lineup along with Williams. Both are listed as shooting guards, but they’re the only experienced guards. If I had to guess now, I’d say Williams be running point.

Next: An early look at UNC's 2018-19 Non-Conference Schedule

That’s a discussion meant for October. North Carolina would more than likely have Jalek Felton as the point guard if he wouldn’t have left the program. Now they’re stuck with two elite scorers, a combo guard, three guys who will need to be ready for expanded roles and a freshman in the backcourt.

Johnson and Williams will both be in the starting lineup either way. They will also be one of the elite combos in the backcourt. I know that the Tar Heels’ true point guard situation is still up in the air, but these two senior guards are going to score a lot of points together.