Cameron Johnson came to North Carolina (5-0) from Pittsburgh with a reputation as a scorer. He has been just that for the 2018 Tar Heel team so far this season.
Johnson entered Monday night’s game against Saint Francis (1-3) as the team’s leading scorer with 16.3 points per game and improved that average with another 20 points in a 101-76 victory.
Not only is he scoring, but he is doing it efficiently. Shooting 59.2 percent from the field and 56.5 percent from beyond the arc this season, Johnson is getting his chances and making the most of them.
“My teammates are doing a really good job of finding me in specific spots,” said Johnson, a graduate guard, of his hot start. “I think we’re just playing for each other and not worrying who scores the most.”
Head coach Roy Williams said it’s important for Johnson to knock down shots early, and not just to increase his offensive confidence.
“I think making shots really gets him enthused about playing on the defensive end of the floor,” Williams said. “He’s really a complete player.”
Johnson created chances from the opening whistle on Monday, recording the game’s first five points with a layup followed by a 3-pointer to get UNC going.
“It’s just his game,” said senior guard Kenny Williams. “He plays off of other people and he can go get his own. He’s doing that to the best of his ability right now and it’s paying off.”
Johnson serves as more than just a scorer for this team, but as a leader as well. He is in his fourth full season playing for an ACC school, and he moved to within nine points of 1000 against the Red Flash. First-year point guard Coby White said he has not let Johnson's play go unnoticed.
