All Tar Heels

Two UNC Basketball Products Among Top 100 NBA Players

Cameron Johnson and Harrison Barnes enter this NBA season as UNC basketball's best pro talents.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball forward Cam Johnson (Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)
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Of the 10 UNC basketball alums currently in the NBA — not counting former Tar Heels who transferred out of Chapel Hill — two appear in the ranking of the league's top 100 players that ESPN.com published this week with preseason underway.

Cameron Johnson and Harrison Barnes are the Tar Heels who landed on the list (a prediction of players' 2023-24 contributions via a 150-member panel of experts).

The 31-year-old Harrison Barnes, a 12th-year pro who signed a contract extension with the Sacramento Kings in late June, appears at No. 96 overall.

Last year, ESPN had Barnes at No. 74. Then the former two-year Tar Heel forward (2010-12) and No. 7 overall draft pick played all 82 games in the regular season, averaging 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 47.3 percent from the field, 37.4 percent beyond the arc, and 84.7 percent at the charity stripe.

As for Cameron Johnson, he's entering his fifth year in the league following his two UNC basketball seasons (2017-19) and in his first preseason with the Brooklyn Nets following a trade from the Phoenix Suns in February. The 27-year-old wing, a former No. 11 overall draft pick, comes in at No. 82 in the eyes of ESPN's panel.

Here's what ESPN's Kevin Pelton noted about Johnson's proven strength:

"Elite skill: Johnson was rewarded with a four-year deal worth up to $108 million by the Nets, who acquired him in the Kevin Durant trade, because of his prolific and accurate 3-point shooting. Among players with at least 500 attempts over the past two seasons, Johnson's 42 percent 3-point shooting ranks fifth."

Across 25 outings for Brooklyn following the trade, he averaged a career-high 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 steals in 30.8 minutes per game as a full-time starter.

Johnson's regular season begins on Oct. 25 when the Nets, including 2020-21 UNC basketball one-and-done Day'Ron Sharpe, host the Cleveland Cavaliers.

That night, Barnes and the Kings tip off their campaign on the road against the Utah Jazz.

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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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