The Final Book On Puff Johnson

With the 2019-20 sports season now in the books, THI takes a look at the incoming freshmen that comprise North Carolina’s basketball recruiting class.

The five-member class include four McDonald’s All-Americas and another highly rated player. The class is ranked No. 3 in the nation and could add another player later this spring.

So here is a look at how each player did this season, their stats, honors, Clint Jackson’s thoughts and what UNC Coach Roy Williams said about them. Today we look at Puff Johnson:

Donovan “Puff” Johnson was known to UNC fans before he became a major target of the Tar Heels. His older brother played two seasons for Roy Williams and is now in the NBA. Cam’s development was a big part of Puff’s decision, but there was more.

Johnson wants to win, something he did a lot in high school, as the four-year starter was on teams that went a combined 103-19. He played his first three seasons at Moon High School in Pennsylvania before playing his senior season at Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, AZ.

Johnson finished with 1,960 career points, which is even more impressive when considering the loaded roster he played with at Hillcrest. There were only so many shots to go around each game.

Johnson’s Senior Stats

14.4 points 8.2 rebounds 2.8 assists 2.3 steals 1.7 blocks, 47% 3-pointers, 82 percent FTs.

Johnson’s Senior Honors

MVP John Wall Holiday Tournament

Honorable mention McDonald’s All-American

State Farm 3-point high school national finalist (top eight 3-point shooters in nation) ESPN No. 2 ranked player in Arizona

Overall In Pennsylvania:

3-Year WPIAL Finalist 2-Year PIAA

Junior Year:

1st-Team All-State, PIAA Class 5A Player of the Year

PIAA Class 5 A All-State 1st.-Team

1st. Team All-Section Player of the Year All section Pittsburgh Tribune Player of the Year

Beaver County Times Player of the year

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fab 5

Puff Johnson says: “I picked UNC for many reasons. One of them is I have had a relationship with Roy Williams since Cam played there. I think it was the best fit. Whenever Roy Williams and I sat down, we watched film and I saw myself fit into that type of offense they play…

“Seeing Cam play and how he was used, I saw that I could play and be used just like him,” the younger Johnson said. “I already had a bond with the players and I see my fitting in well down there.”

"While his numbers may not jump off the page, as much as some of the others, you have to remember that the wing sniper is surrounded by high major talent. And he’s not the first option. We expect Johnson to be able to stretch the defense, pick and pop, and he’ll slot well as someone who can bust zones next season at Carolina."

"When you see Puff, you see his brother, Cameron, which is obviously a very good sign, but Puff is also his own young man and that's an even better sign. He's a tireless worker who is playing for a nationally-competitive team that will play in big-time tournaments. Puff is going to get better and better. He's a bit of a late bloomer, but he's already a top 100 player. His dad and I both believe that, like Cameron, he's going to work and work and continue to improve in all aspects of his game.

"His greatest skill now is shooting the ball in the basket but he's going to be a fantastic all-around player. We are fortunate to have already known his family for the past two years and know they are going to be tremendously supportive of him and our program."

“I never, ever, ever get caught up in recruiting rankings… I love these kids and it remains to be seen what they’ll do but I do feel really, really good about it… I just want guys that I like. We lost a couple of guys we would have liked, there’s no question about that, but I feel very comfortable with it, happy with it. Extremely happy because I also think they’re high-quality kids.

"The character that they have, they’re all characters, too. I do enjoy that part of it. Solid kids that all want to be better and all have big-time dreams and goals, individually but also have them as a team as well.”

*Clint Jackson and Jarrod Hardy contributed to the report.