PUFF JOHNSON NEWS

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

Doesn't play again Johnson (hip) didn't take the floor during Saturday's game against Purdue.

Impact Johnson warmed up ahead of Tuesday's game versus College of Charleston but didn't wind up playing then either. Considering the sophomore isn't guaranteed to be part of the regular rotation, it's unclear if Johnson is still dealing with an injury or if he's simply buried down the depth chart with some close games on the schedule.

NOVEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't end up playing Johnson (hip) did not end up playing in Tuesday's 94-83 win over the College of Charleston.

Impact Johnson went through warmups ahead of Tuesday's tip but ultimately did not see the floor. It's unclear if the 6-8 sophomore is still dealing with an injury or merely didn't play due to a coach's decision as the Tar Heels were never really able to run away with the victory. Johnson's next chance to make his season debut would be Saturday against No. 6 Purdue, although it's highly unlikely that will happen.

NOVEMBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Warming up Tuesday Johnson (hip) is warming up ahead of Tuesday's game against the College of Charleston, Brendan Marks of The Athletic reports.

Impact After missing the first two games with a hip injury, Johnson appears ready to make his season debut Tuesday. The sophomore averaged 1.1 points in 14 games last year with the Tar Heels.

NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't play in opener Johnson (hip) did not play in Tuesday's 83-67 win over Loyola (MD).

Impact Head coach Roy Williams opened up his bench and played a total of 12 players in Tuesday's win but Johnson was not one of them. He should continue to be considered as questionable for Friday's meeting against Brown.

NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sits out exhibition Johnson (hip) did not take the court in Friday's 83-55 exhibition victory over Elizabeth City State.

Impact Johnson has been dealing with multiple injuries, so it didn't make sense for him to suit up for a low-stakes exhibition contest. The Tar Heels emptied their entire bench in this one, using a total of 16 different players for at least one minute. Johnson should be considered questionable for the Tuesday opener against Loyola (MD).

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Adds hip injury to mix Johnson's status is uncertain for the Nov. 9 season opener as he tends to multiple injuries, including a hip strain, Brendan Marks of The Athletic reports.

Impact Johnson did not participate in a mid-October scrimmage, and the thought at the time was that he was still dealing with lingering effects of a toe injury suffered last season. Wednesday's report suggests there is a lot more going on, most notably a hip strain. Johnson was merely a depth forward for the Tar Heels last season that averaged 4.1 mpg across 14 appearances, and growing into a rotation piece will likely hinge on getting healthy first.

NOVEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Still dealing with toe injury Johnson (toe) warmed up but did not participate in Friday's team scrimmage, Ross Martin of 247 Sports reports.

Impact According to team officials, Johnson continues to deal with lingering effects from the sprained toe that caused him to miss the last 15 games of the 2020-21 season. Johnson had already likely been on the outside looking in with respect to a rotation spot, as he failed to reach double-digit minutes even when he was healthy and went scoreless in his last four appearances. The Tar Heels are also returning most key players from their backcourt, with Caleb Love, R.J. Davis and Kerwin Walton back in the mix. Add in four-star point guard D'Marco Dunn, and Johnson was already going to have to claw his way into minutes. His next chance to take the court is an exhibition matchup against Elizabeth City State on Nov. 5.

OCTOBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not dressed Saturday Johnson (toe) isn't dressed ahead of Saturday's game against Florida State, Brendan Marks of The Athletic reports.

Impact Johnson appears to be on track to miss a seventh straight game due to a lingering toe injury. However, he was able to shed his walking boot ahead of Saturday's matchup. It's not yet clear when he'll return to action, but the freshman is unlikely to be a significant fantasy factor when he's available.

FEBRUARY 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Still sidelined Wednesday Johnson (toe) remains out for Wednesday's game against Northeastern.

Impact Johnson is set for his sixth consecutive absence due to the bothersome toe and remains without a specific timetable for when he may retake the floor. Even when he's cleared for action, the freshman doesn't figure to be much of a fantasy factor, with him averaging just 4.1 minutes over his 14 appearances this season.

FEBRUARY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable Saturday Johnson is not dressed for Saturday's game against NC State and was seen wearing a walking boot on his right foot, Tar Heel Illustrated reports.

Impact Johnson reportedly injured a toe during Friday's practice which led to him being out for Saturday's game. The extent of his injury is unknown but it leaves his status in jeopardy for the Tar Heels' next game against Pitt on Tuesday.

JANUARY 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE