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Overlooked UNC Basketball Product Powers Victory in Brooklyn

Former UNC basketball star Cam Johnson is on track to record career-high averages.

Matt Giles

Former UNC basketball forward Cam Johnson
Former UNC basketball forward Cam Johnson / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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After losing three straight games and five of their past six, the Brooklyn Nets (6-9) needed to get back on the right track against the visiting Charlotte Hornets (5-9) on Tuesday night. And 2017-19 UNC basketball forward answered the call, as the former No. 11 overall draft pick delivered a season-high 34 points — only four shy of his top scoring outing as a pro — in his squad's 116-115 victory.

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The 28-year-old Johnson finished 11-for-20 from the field, 6-for-12 beyond the arc, and 6-for-6 at the foul line across his team-high 38 minutes on the floor. He added five rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two blocks, albeit with five turnovers.

Cam Johnson's 18.1 points per game this season, his third in Brooklyn after spending three and a half years with the Phoenix Suns to begin his NBA career, are 2.6 more than his previous career high. He's also outperforming his previous campaigns in the assist department with 2.9 per outing.

Plus, he's now shooting a career-best 91.8 percent at the charity stripe.

Meanwhile, the Nets' other UNC basketball talent, fourth-year Brooklyn big man Day'Ron Sharpe, has not made his season debut yet. The 23-year-old, a 2020-21 one-and-done in Chapel Hill, is still recovering from a left hamstring injury that he sustained in early October.

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Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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