Puff Johnson - College Basketball News & Rumors

Puff Johnson provides spark in season debut The junior appeared in his first game of the year, as the Tar Heels put together their best performance of the young season.

NOVEMBER 20, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Six points as backup Johnson logged six points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT) and one assist across 13 minutes during North Carolina's 80-64 win Sunday versus James Madison.

Impact Johnson almost doubled the point tally he averaged during his sophomore year. The junior is expected to be a backup indefinitely. Currently, Leaky Black and Pete Nance are North Carolina's preferred forwards.

NOVEMBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Warms up but doesn't play Tuesday Johnson (knee) warmed up ahead of Tuesday's game versus Gardner-Webb but ultimately didn't play, Inside Carolina reports.

Impact Johnson participated in practice Monday and warmed up before Tuesday's game, likely meaning that he will make his season debut soon. Johnson's next opportunity to play will be in Sunday's game against James Madison.

NOVEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Participates in practice Johnson (knee) participated in UNC's team practice Monday, according to Brendan Marks of The Athletic.

Impact Ideally, Johnson will only practice this week and sit out UNC's game Tuesday versus Gardner-Webb and Nov. 20. UNC head coach Hubert Davis believes Johnson will be good to go before the Tar heels play at Portland on Nov. 24.

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Remains sidelined Friday Johnson (knee) will not be available for Friday's game versus the College of Charleston, Brendan Marks of The Athletic reports.

Impact Johnson will miss his second consecutive game due to a knee injury. Johnson's next opportunity to make his season debut will be Tuesday's game versus Gardner-Webb.

NOVEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't play in season opener Johnson (knee) didn't play in Monday's win over UNC Wilmington.

Impact Johnson was originally ruled a game-time call for Monday's season opener, but he ultimately didn't take the floor. The forward will lily be a game-time decision once again for the team's next matchup Friday against the College of Charleston.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not warming up Johnson (knee) did not participate in warmups ahead of Monday's season-opener, InsideCarolina reports.

Impact Johnson's official status for the season-opener is still unclear, though missing warmups is not an encouraging sign. Assuming Johnson does not play Monday, his next chance to return is Friday against Charleston. Johnson averaged 3.1 points and 2.0 rebounds in 10.3 minutes off the bench last season.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Set to be game-time decision Johnson (knee) will be a game-time decision for Monday's game against UNC-Wilmington, Zack Pearson of USA Today reports.

Impact Johnson did not play in the team's exhibition game last Friday. He has been dealing with some knee pain over the last few weeks that needs to get better before he can take the court. Johnson is a breakout candidate this season for a Tar Heels team hoping to get back to the Final Four.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Why North Carolina is No. 1 in our college basketball 2022-23 countdown

With four starters returning, including star Armando Bacot, North Carolina is ready for a big season and ranked No. 1 in our preseason count...

NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • FOX SPORTS

Why North Carolina is No. 1 in our college basketball 2022-23 countdown

Expected to be available for opener Head coach Hubert Davis said Friday that he expects Johnson (knee) to be available for Nov. 7's regular-season opener, Brendan Marks of The Athletic reports.

Impact Johnson has been dealing with knee tightness throughout October, but his head coach thinks he'll be good to go by the start of the regular season. The 6-foot-8 junior garnered modest roles in each of his first two collegiate campaigns, but he did play well during UNC's run to the 2021-22 National Championship game, suggesting he's set for an expanded role this year.

OCTOBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Puff Johnson, former WPIAL basketball star, discusses 'surreal' Final Four experience and his viral moment Johnson got sick during the game, but scored 11 points in the Tar Heels’ loss to Kansas.

APRIL 6, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Suns' Cameron Johnson supported his brother Puff Johnson, North Carolina in Final Four During a Suns-Lakers pregame shootaround, Johnson discussed his brother Puff Johnson and his college North Carolina playing in the 2022 Fina...

APRIL 5, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Men's NCAA championship: Jayhawks played for more than themselves

Kansas was playing for the 2020 team that didn't get a chance and in memory of Bill Self's father, Andy Katz writes.

APRIL 5, 2022 • FOX SPORTS

Men's NCAA championship: Jayhawks played for more than themselves

Former OLSH and Moon star Puff Johnson has viral moment in NCAA championship game North Carolina’s surprising run in the NCAA tournament may have ended in disappointment Monday night, but it wasn’t due to any lack of effor...

APRIL 5, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

UNC Guard Puff Johnson Exits Late vs. Kansas After Appearing to Puke On-Court The sophomore guard played extended minutes off the bench.

APRIL 5, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Puff Johnson nickname: How UNC forward, and brother of Suns' Cameron Johnson, got 'Puff' moniker" If Puff Johnson looks familiar to college basketball fans, there's a reason for that. There's also a story behind his nickname.

APRIL 2, 2022 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Suns' Cam Johnson's brother, North Carolina's Puff Johnson, ready for Duke in Final Four Puff Johnson will be Gilbert Hillcrest Prep's only alumnus to ever play in the Final Four when UNC faces Duke in New Orleans on Saturday.

APRIL 1, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Goes for 16 points Johnson supplied 16 points (4-9 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 6-7 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal across 29 minutes during Saturday's 84-74 win over North Carolina State.

Impact Johnson delivered his best scoring output of the campaign, and in fact, this was the first time he scored in double digits this season. Given the fact that he also played more than 20 minutes for the first time this season, he's not likely to deliver this kind of performance going forward.

MARCH 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Makes season debut Johnson contributed no counting stats over three minutes during Saturday's 88-65 win over Georgia Tech.

Impact Johnson has been participating in pregame warmups with the Tar Heels for nearly a month, but he hadn't seen the court in an official capacity until Saturday. The former four-star recruit appeared in 14 games as a reserve last season, but it doesn't appear he's cracked the rotation in 2021-22 just yet. The 6-foot-8, left-handed forward has some great shooting range for his size, but it may take another season for these skills to translate to fantasy relevance. For now, the Hillcrest Prep product appears he'll have to settle for a depth role.

JANUARY 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Going through warmups Johnson (hip) is going through warmups ahead of Tuesday's game against App State, Michael Koh of WCHL Chapelboro reports.

Impact Johnson has warmed up in previous games before, but ended up not playing. He has been out all season due to a hip injury suffered in the preseason. It's unclear what his role will be when he comes back from injury.

DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Warming up, unlikely to play Johnson (hip) is taking part in warmups ahead of Furman but seems unlikely to play Tuesday versus Furman, Brendan Marks of The Athleticreports.

Impact Even if Johnson is unable to suit up, the fact that he's taking part in warmups is a good sign of progress for the sophomore, who hasn't appeared in a game this season and saw action in just 14 games last season. Even when he is clear to rejoin the action, Johnson may not be in line for a consistent role in the rotation.

DECEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Does not play Saturday Johnson (hip) did not play Sunday against Georgia Tech.

Impact The sophomore forward returned to practicing at 100 percent but was still held out of UNC's contest on Sunday. Johnson's next chance to make his season debut comes Saturday against Elon. However, given that he has not played in a single game this season, don't expect heavy playing time right out of the gate for the 6-foot-8 big,.

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to full-go at practice Johnson (hip) has returned to practice as a full-contact participant, Isaiah Lucas of 247 Sports reports.

Impact These comments came from head coach Hubert Davis via his radio show, and Davis also noted that Johnson suffered a concussion that contributed to his absence, along with the already-reported hip injury. While Johnson likely has some conditioning to work on before he's game-ready, Davis did note that he fully expects him to make a push to get playing time. That situation playing out before the Dec. 1 matchup against Michigan seems unlikely, but a return at some point this month seems like it's in the realm of possibility.

DECEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Absence continues Johnson (hip) didn't play in Tuesday's win against UNC-Asheville.

Impact Johnson has yet to see game action this season as he continues to deal with a hip injury. It's unclear when he's expected to make his season debut for the Tar Heels.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Misses another game Johnson (hip) didn't appear in Sunday's loss to Tennessee.

Impact Johnson hasn't yet made his season debut due to his hip injury. His next chance to play will be Tuesday against UNC Asheville.

NOVEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

PUFF JOHNSON NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

Why North Carolina is No. 1 in our college basketball 2022-23 countdown

Men's NCAA championship: Jayhawks played for more than themselves