Former Moon high school star Puff Johnson is looking for a new basketball home.
Wednesday morning, Johnson made the decision to leave North Carolina and enter the transfer portal. Johnson becomes the 4th player this offseason to make the decision to transfer.
The 6-foot-7 wing spent three seasons with the Tar Heels but has decided it’s time for a change.
“I am grateful to be a Tar Heel. My time in Chapel Hill has taught me lessons that extend far beyond the basketball court. I have given 100% to the University on and off the court. A heartfelt thanks to Coach Williams for recruiting me and giving me the opportunity to play at Carolina. I also want to thank Coach Davis and the entire UNC staff for giving me the opportunity to play under their leadership for the last two years. To my teammates, thank you always for being by my side and for being my brothers. Most importantly, thank you Carolina Nation for embracing and supporting me throughout my time here. I will always love you, but the time has come for me to enter the transfer portal and take that next step as a basketball player. Thank you all for respecting my decision. I will always be a Tar Heel.”
Coming out of Moon high school, Johnson was a consensus 4-star recruit, with Rivals.com rating him as the No. 64 overall player in the Class of 2019. Before signing with North Carolina, Johnson held offers from programs such as Pitt, Arizona, Auburn, Cincinnati, Duquesne, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, TCU, Xavier and Virginia Tech.
This past season, Johnson played in 27 games and averaged 4.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game.
Johnson’s biggest challenge in college has been to stay healthy. As a freshman, Johnson missed the final 15 games with a sprained toe. As a sophomore, the missed the first 15 games with hip and ankle injuries. As a junior, he missed time with knee soreness.
Johnson’s biggest moment in the North Carolina uniform came last year in the national championship game against Kansas, when he scored seven straight points and finished the game with 11 points and six rebounds.
In terms of athletic eligibility, Johnson will have two seasons remaining.
Go get him Capel! Here’s a piece of the 3 point shooting we need to replace with the loss of Cummings, Elliott and Sibande!
i think that ship sailed when he went to UNC initially. Also, injuries are a worry for me. and, as for 3pt shooting .. last year was his best at 28.3%, prior 2 years were much lower. he may not be the “sniper” we need.
I didn’t say he was the only answer to the loss of the 3point shooting, he’s a small piece to the solution. And I know 30% isn’t great but he has 2 years of eligibility left to improve that percentage.
And he wouldn’t have to adjust to the level of play in the ACC, unlike some of these players from the lower level conferences