Cameron Johnson
Johnson with UNC in 2018
No. 2 – Brooklyn Nets
PositionSmall forward / power forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1996-03-03) March 3, 1996 (age 28)
Moon Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2019: 1st round, 11th overall pick
Selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2019–2023Phoenix Suns
2023–presentBrooklyn Nets
Career highlights and awards
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at Basketball-Reference.com

Cameron Jordan Johnson (born March 3, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Pittsburgh Panthers and the North Carolina Tar Heels. Drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the eleventh overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, Johnson was traded to the Phoenix Suns on draft night. During his sophomore season, he reached the 2021 NBA Finals with the Suns. He spent four seasons in Phoenix before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets in February 2023.

High school career

As a junior in high school, Johnson was a 6-foot-2 point guard before having a growth spurt. He graduated from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.[1] As a senior at OLSH, Johnson averaged 27.8 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game. He finished his career with 1,175 points. He signed with Pittsburgh in April 2014.[2]

College career

Pittsburgh (2014–2017)

Johnson suffered a shoulder injury shortly into his first year at Pittsburgh and was allowed to redshirt during that season in order to undergo rehabilitation for his injury. He was used as a substitute during his redshirt freshman year.[3] As a redshirt sophomore at Pitt, Johnson averaged 11.9 points per game and hit 41.5% of his three-point attempts. Johnson graduated from Pittsburgh with a degree in communications in three years. He took advantage of the graduate transfer rule and moved to North Carolina without sitting out a year. The University of Pittsburgh initially refused to allow his release to their in-conference rival Tar Heels but eventually relented.[4] He cited uncertainty in coaching and a losing record as factors in his decision to transfer.

North Carolina (2017–2019)

On November 15, 2017, five days after his team's season opener, Johnson had surgery to fix a torn meniscus. Johnson ended up sitting out ten games. Although hindered by the injury, Johnson finished third on the team in scoring with 12.4 points per game as well as grabbing 4.7 rebounds per game in his redshirt junior season. Johnson scored a career-high 32 points against Clemson.[5] After the season, Johnson underwent an arthroscopic hip procedure and announced his intention to return to North Carolina for his senior season.[6]

Johnson's senior season proved to be his most statistically successful campaign. Unhindered by injury, Johnson was the leading scorer for the Tar Heels with 16.9 points per game and averaged 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Johnson shot 50.6 percent from the field and 45.7 percent from three, leading some commentators to call Johnson "the best shooter in [the] draft."[7] Johnson had several notable performances during his senior season. Playing against Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, Johnson shot 79% from the field for the game and made his first six three-point attempts, ultimately finishing with 27 points in a 95–57 rout of the Demon Deacons.[8] Against rival Duke in Cameron Indoor Stadium, Johnson finished with 26 points in an 88–72 victory against the Blue Devils, then the nation's top-ranked team.[9] Against Clemson in Littlejohn Coliseum, Johnson made six three-pointers to finish with 19 points in a two-point victory.[10] After the conclusion of conference play, Johnson was named to the All-ACC first team.[11]

Professional career

Phoenix Suns (2019–2023)

On June 20, 2019, the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Johnson with the eleventh overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, then immediately traded him and Dario Šarić to the Phoenix Suns for Jarrett Culver, the sixth pick of the draft.[12] The trade was officially completed on July 6,[13] with the Suns later announcing that they had signed Johnson the same day.[14] On October 26, 2019, Johnson made his NBA debut coming off the bench in a 130–122 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.[15] On November 19, he scored a season-high 18 points in a 120–116 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Johnson then matched his season-high on December 5 in a 139–132 overtime win over the New Orleans Pelicans.[16]

Johnson had his first professional start with the team on February 10, 2020, against the Los Angeles Lakers.[17] On March 3, 2020, Johnson scored a new season-high of 21 points on his 24th birthday in a 123–114 loss to the defending champion Toronto Raptors.[18] After originally being out for the rest of March due to illness, Johnson returned to action as a starter on July 31, scoring 12 points in a 125–112 win over the Washington Wizards.[19] Two days later, Johnson had his first professional double-double with 19 points and a season-high 12 rebounds in a 117–115 win over the Dallas Mavericks.[20] He later recorded his second double-double of his rookie season on August 6, matching his season-high 12 rebounds with 14 points scored in a 114–99 win over the Indiana Pacers.[21] Two days later, Johnson broke the franchise record previously set by Wesley Person for the quickest player to score at least 100 three-pointers in a 119–112 win over the Miami Heat, reaching it in only 54 games played.[22][23] With Johnson starting for Phoenix, the Suns would have an 8–0 record in the 2020 NBA Bubble as of August 13, having a winning streak of at least 7 games for the first time since March 2010.[24]

On December 27, 2020, Johnson matched his then career-high of 21 points off the bench in a 116–100 win over the Sacramento Kings.[25] Johnson helped the Suns reach the 2021 NBA Finals, but the Suns lost the series in 6 games to the Milwaukee Bucks.[26]

On March 4, 2022, Johnson put up a career-high 38 points with nine three-pointers made alongside a game-winning, buzzer-beating three-pointer in a 115–114 win over the New York Knicks.[27] He finished third in NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting, behind winner Tyler Herro and Kevin Love.[28]

To start the 2022–23 season, Johnson was named the starting power forward for the Suns by head coach Monty Williams.[29] On November 8, 2022, Johnson underwent surgery to remove part of the meniscus in his right knee and was ruled out for at least one to two months.[30]

Brooklyn Nets (2023–present)

On February 9, 2023, the Suns traded Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets, along with Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round picks, and a 2028 first-round pick swap, in exchange for Kevin Durant and T. J. Warren.[31] Johnson made his Nets debut two days later, recording 12 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals in a 101–98 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.[32]

On July 6, 2023, Johnson re-signed with the Nets.[33]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019–20 Phoenix 57 9 22.0 .435 .390 .807 3.3 1.2 .6 .4 8.8
2020–21 Phoenix 60 11 24.0 .420 .349 .847 3.3 1.4 .6 .3 9.6
2021–22 Phoenix 66 16 26.2 .460 .425 .860 4.1 1.5 .9 .2 12.5
2022–23 Phoenix 17 16 25.2 .474 .455 .818 3.8 1.5 .9 .4 13.9
2022–23 Brooklyn 25 25 30.8 .468 .372 .851 4.8 2.1 1.4 .3 16.6
Career 225 77 25.0 .447 .393 .843 3.8 1.5 .8 .3 11.3

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 Phoenix 21 0 21.1 .500 .446 .906 3.1 .8 .9 .2 8.2
2022 Phoenix 13 3 24.6 .465 .373 .813 3.5 1.5 .4 .1 10.8
2023 Brooklyn 4 4 38.0 .509 .429 .857 5.8 2.8 .8 .3 18.5
Career 38 7 24.1 .489 .416 .859 3.6 1.2 .7 .2 10.2

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014–15 Pittsburgh 8 0 14.4 .394 .348 .500 1.1 .5 .1 .4 4.5
2015–16 Pittsburgh 32 1 11.7 .397 .375 .808 1.8 .5 .3 .2 4.8
2016–17 Pittsburgh 33 33 33.3 .447 .415 .811 4.5 2.3 .9 .3 11.9
2017–18 North Carolina 26 20 29.3 .426 .341 .847 4.7 2.3 .7 .2 12.4
2018–19 North Carolina 36 36 29.9 .505 .457 .818 5.8 2.4 1.2 .3 16.9
Career 135 90 25.4 .456 .405 .817 4.1 1.8 .8 .3 11.2

Personal life

Johnson is Catholic. When the national anthem is played before games, he recites Psalm 23. In Phoenix he also wore the jersey number 23 in part because of Psalm 23.[34]

Johnson’s brother, Donovan “Puff” Johnson, plays basketball for the Penn State Nittany Lions.[35] Johnson's mother, a Croatian American,[36] is a school nurse. This inspired Johnson to give out special appreciation to the healthcare workers and their families on their February 7, 2021 home game against the Boston Celtics, the Suns' first home game since March 8, 2020 to have fans enter their arena after dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.[37]

References

  1. ^ Meyer, Craig (April 4, 2018). "Cameron Johnson finds a home at North Carolina". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  2. ^ Gorman, Kevin (April 21, 2014). "OLSH guard Johnson signs with Pitt; Rohrssen officially leaving for UK". TribLive. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  3. ^ Carter, Andrew (June 16, 2017). "Cameron Johnson signs UNC scholarship". The News & Observer. Archived from the original on May 14, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  4. ^ Marks, Brendan (June 16, 2017). "Forward finally joins North Carolina after transfer challenge". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  5. ^ "North Carolina vs. Clemson Box Score, January 30, 2018". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  6. ^ Alexander, Jonathan (April 19, 2018). "With Cam Johnson confirmed to return, UNC is shaping up for next season". The News & Observer. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  7. ^ Martin, Ross (May 29, 2019). "UNC's Cameron Johnson is 'the Best Shooter in the Draft". 247Sports. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  8. ^ Martin, Ross (February 16, 2019). "Cameron Johnson Adds Another Chapter to Stellar Shooting Season". 247Sports. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  9. ^ McKeithan, Holt (February 22, 2019). ""This is the dream": How Cameron Johnson helped lead UNC's takedown of No. 1 Duke". The Daily Tar Heel. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  10. ^ "After Williams falls and leaves, No. 5 UNC outlasts Clemson". ESPN. Associated Press. March 2, 2019. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  11. ^ "ACC 2019 Men's Basketball All-Conference Team, Postseason Awards". ACC Sports Journal. March 11, 2019. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  12. ^ "Suns select UNC's Cam Johnson No. 11 in 2019 NBA Draft". Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. June 20, 2019. Archived from the original on June 21, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  13. ^ "Suns Complete Trades to Add Draft Picks Johnson, Jerome and Veterans Šarić, Baynes". NBA.com. July 6, 2019. Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  14. ^ "Suns Sign Johnson, Jerome, Lecque". NBA.com. July 6, 2019. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
  15. ^ "Booker, Oubre lead Suns over Clippers 130-122". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 26, 2019. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  16. ^ Finney Jr., Peter (December 6, 2019). "Booker scores season-high 44 points, Suns outlast Pelicans". NBA.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  17. ^ Reedy, Joe (February 11, 2020). "Rondo, Davis lead Lakers to 125-100 rout of Suns". NBA.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  18. ^ "Toronto Raptors at Phoenix Suns Box Score, March 3, 2020". Basketball Reference. Archived from the original on August 28, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  19. ^ "Booker scores 27 points, Suns beat Wizards 125-112 in return". NBA.com. July 31, 2020. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  20. ^ "Booker scores 27 points, Suns beat Wizards 125-112 in return". NBA.com. August 3, 2020. Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  21. ^ "Suns win 4th straight bubble game, top Pacers 114-99". NBA.com. August 6, 2020. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  22. ^ "Booker's 35 points lead surprising Suns past Heat 119-112". NBA.com. August 8, 2020. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  23. ^ "Suns rookie Cam Johnson is the fastest Sun to 100 career three-pointers". Bright Side Of The Sun. August 9, 2020. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  24. ^ "Booker's 35 points help streaking Suns beat 76ers 130-117". NBA.com. August 11, 2020. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  25. ^ Wagaman, Michael (December 27, 2020). "Johnson Scores 21 Off Bench To Sparks Suns (Suns use 2 big 2nd-half runs to beat Kings 116-100)". NBA.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  26. ^ Mahoney, Brian (July 20, 2021). "Bucks' 50-year wait ends with a title behind 50 from Giannis". nba.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  27. ^ Samillano, Gerard (March 4, 2022). "Suns forward Cam Johnson caps career night vs. Knicks with epic game winner". ClutchPoints. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  28. ^ "Heat's Tyler Herro wins 2021-22 Kia Sixth Man of the Year award". NBA. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  29. ^ "Monty Williams confirms Cam Johnson will start for Suns this season". Arizona Sports. September 29, 2022. Archived from the original on October 16, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  30. ^ "Source: Suns' Cameron Johnson out 1-2 months after surgery". ESPN. November 8, 2022. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  31. ^ "SUNS COMPLETE TRADE FOR KEVIN DURANT, T.J. WARREN". Phoenix Suns. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  32. ^ "EMBIID LEADS 76ERS OVER NETS IN HARDEN'S RETURN TO BROOKLYN". NBA.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  33. ^ "Brooklyn Nets Re-Sign Cam Johnson". NBA.com. July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  34. ^ Doering, Joshua (May 5, 2022). "Sixth man Cam Johnson stays rooted in faith as Suns eye return to NBA Finals". Sports Spectrum. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  35. ^ Smith, Adam (February 26, 2022). "Puff of energy: UNC reserve Puff Johnson steps up with career day in victory over NC State". The Times-News. Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  36. ^ "Doznajemo: NBA finalist želi igrati za Hrvatsku. Šarićevu suigraču majka je Hrvatica". index.hr. Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  37. ^ Rankin, Duane (February 7, 2021). "Phoenix Suns welcome fans back with win over Boston Celtics". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2021.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cameron Johnson.
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