Cameron Johnson is one win away from his basketball dream.
The Phoenix Suns’ sixth man has already set all kinds of records, such as fastest player in franchise history to hit 100 3-pointers, but he is still somewhat under the radar on a team that features Devin Booker and Chris Paul, two of Johnson’s backcourt mates.
But the biggest skill the former Carolina star seems to have is making the right move at the right time and delivering on that good fortune. Johnson, you recall, played his first two seasons of college basketball for Pitt, from where he graduated in three years after missing his entire freshman season with a knee injury.
Johnson wanted to play for an ACC and national championship contender when he announced he was transferring to UNC, even though he wasn’t sure how many seasons he could play for the Tar Heels. Pitt did not release him but learned it had no such power over someone who had graduated. Cam got his two remaining years.
He suffered a torn meniscus five days after Carolina’s 2017-18 opener, but within ten games he was back and eventually moved into the starting spot vacated by Justin Jackson. Not quite 100 percent, he still averaged 12.4 points and 4.7 rebounds, with a season high of 32 points against Clemson.
As a senior, Johnson became the leading scorer with just under 17 points a game, plus 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He didn’t reach his dream of playing in the Final Four either season, and then he looked ahead to the NBA. Here is where the story gets even better.
Cam was supposed to be a mid-to-late first-round pick, but he had a friend in the front office of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who selected him in the lottery at No. 11, only four spots after Coby White. Then he was immediately traded to the rebuilding Phoenix Suns where he has really shined.
Johnson has been a part-time starter and now is their sixth man with the second-highest scoring average off the bench. You can see the Carolina in him, how he rebounds, defends and hits the open shot.
The Suns need one of the two remaining games against the Clippers to win the Western Conference and reach the NBA Finals, the dream of all pros. Cam will play about 20 minutes and score when needed as their best 3-point shooter. Count on it, because he’s living his dream.
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