Sought after transfer Cameron Johnson committed to North Carolina on Tuesday.
“I just thought it was the best fit overall,” Johnson said. “I loved the coaching staff, culture, and players.”
The 6-8 forward has already graduated from Pittsburgh and has two years of player eligibility remaining. Pittsburgh’s transfer releases stipulates that he’s immediately eligible to play everywhere except the ACC. If he was to transfer to an ACC school, Pitt is requesting a one year sit out before playing.
Johnson, UNC Coach Roy Williams and North Carolina are fighting that decision and continue to do so, Johnson said.
From his father, Gilbert Johnson: “He didn’t (get a waiver) yet but per the NCAA and ACC, they says it’s illegal to take away a year from him because he’s a graduate transfer. It says he can go or not.”
Johnson is referring to NCAA Bylaw 14.6.1, which basically states “Division I student-athletes who earn a bachelor’s degree prior to exhausting their athletics eligibility may go on to compete as graduate students for another school provided they meet certain criteria (NCAA Bylaw 14.6.1) or obtain an NCAA waiver”
“Carolina is going to fight it out,” Johnson said.
Johnson also considered Arizona, Kentucky, Oregon and UCLA.
Johnson just completed his redshirt sophomore season at Pittsburgh. He averaged 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists. His 41.5 percent shooting on three-point attempts ranked fifth in the ACC.
Carolina fans should be familiar with Johnson. He posted a game-high 24 points, shooting 6-for-9 on three-pointers, in Pittsburgh’s 80-78 loss at the Smith Center on Jan. 31.
Johnson, if allowed to play, should start in the vacant spot left by departing All American Justin Jackson. Both are listed at 6-8, 210 pounds. Both led their respective teams in made three-pointers in 2016-17. Jackson made 2.6 three-pointers per game while setting the UNC record for made threes in a season. Johnson was not far behind with a 2.4 rate.
Johnson should slide into a starting rotation featuring the returning Seniors Joel Berry and Theo Pinson, along with NCAA Tournament star Luke Maye and incoming freshman Garrison Brooks.
