Suns’ Johnson proud of brother ‘Puff ’, Heels
Cameron Johnson was restless and grateful watching two historic moments for both the NCAA’s and his family’s histories at the Final Four in New Orleans.
During the Suns pregame shootaround before hosting the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, the Phoenix forward said he was nervously sweating and his “heart was pounding” as he witnessed his younger brother Puff Johnson play for Cameron’s alma mater North Carolina in the national title game against Kansas on Monday.
During Cameron’s two years at UNC in 2018 and 2019, the Tar Heels lost the NCAA Tournament’s second round and Sweet Sixteen, respectively.
UNC’s 6-foot-8 sophomore guard Puff Johnson staged a stellar sixth man performance in the national championship, like former Arizona State point guard Remy Martin did for Kansas (14 points on four 3s and 5-of-9 field goal shooting, three rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block in 21 minutes) in its 72-69 victory.
The Gilbert Hillcrest Prep alum had 11 points, shot team-best 55%, six rebounds and one assist in 18 minutes for North Carolina.
“I wanted it so bad for him. He got a state title in high school and to add a college one would’ve been really, really cool for him,” Johnson said.
“But that experience, you know, it’s unmatched. And so, also, I was kind of living vicariously through him. Just my own Final Four and championship hopes and dreams. Knowing I could never get there, seeing him do it was really gratifying in that sense.”
Johnson said it was the first Final Four he’s attended.
He was there with many of his former Tar Heels teammates and retired coach and Hall of Famer Roy Williams to see them beat Duke in the national semifinal on Saturday, 81-77.
That was the first time the storied Tobacco Road rivals faced each other in the NCAA tournament.
“Getting to the Final Four game was unbelievable on a number of levels. One, being about to see my little brother, my family,” Johnson said. “And two, being able to see my former team. And three, being able to see Duke kind of leave the stage there.”
The Carolina basketball fraternity is undoubtedly the most revered in the sport.
Michael Jordan. James Worthy. Charlie Scott. Jerry Stackhouse. Antawn Jamison. Kenny Smith. Larry Brown. Vince Carter. Billy Cunningham. Dean Smith.
That’s a short list among many other legendary names who’ve either played for or coached to represent the Carolina blue.
“Me going to Carolina was a big point in my career, and it helped me get to where I am now, and I owe (Williams) a lot for that and the whole Carolina program off of that,” Johnson said.
“It’s crazy how much of a family it is. We look out for each other. Those guys dating back to Al Wood and way beyond, Stackhouse was there, Antawn (Jamison) was there and it’s just one big family, and it’s something I’m really appreciative of.”
Johnson couldn’t watch the title
game in person because he was with the Suns in their return to Phoenix after they lost to Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.
Johnson said he watched the championship rooting for Puff with his teammates Frank Kaminsky, Cameron Payne, and Mikal Bridges.
“They were just as excited as I was for him. It was awesome,” Johnson said.
Top seed Kansas completed the biggest comeback in national championship history.
The Jayhawks were down 40-25 at halftime, and overcame eighth seed UNC’s biggest 16-point leadafter not hitting a field goal for over five minutes entering the second half.
Johnson compared that his own experience with the Suns being up 2-0 in the NBA Finals last year, but came up short to the Milwaukee Bucks 4-2 in that
series.
“They made it that far and sometimes that ball doesn’t bounce your way, and we know that firsthand here,” Johnson said. “But those kids fought. Those kids gave it every ounce of effort to the final whistle, and I’m proud of all of them.”
Puff Johnson made several key plays to keep the game close in the second half, including his 3 made to tie the game at 57-57 at the 8:17 mark and then causing an offensive foul on Kansas’ AllAmerican forward Ochai Agbaji during its next possession.
Puff also made two go-ahead layups at 6:31 to put UNC up, 60-59, and then at 5:46.
Then Puff vomited during a Kansas possession shortly thereafter, which momentarily stopped the game and he had to briefly recuperate on the bench.
“I think it was when he took the charge and a couple more minutes of running hard, it caught up to him,” Johnson said while laughing. “But one thing I can’t fault him for at all is just the effort.
“He gave it all until he was on the ground, and so for that I’m really proud of him. He didn’t shy away from the moment, and he tried to step up and give his team everything that they needed.”
Cam also discussed the possibility of Puff making it to the NBA after college.
“That would be a dream come true, and for my parents, and for my other two brothers,” Johnson said. “He got a lot steps he’s gotta take to get himself to that level, but he’s been taking steps in the right direction.
“And one was just getting back on the court this year. He missed basically all of last season. So he’s really looking forward to having a big summer now and just expanding his game and getting ready for the next year.”