UNC basketball's Puff Johnson becomes fourth Tar Heel to enter transfer portal
North Carolina basketball’s Puff Johnson is the latest Tar Heel to enter the transfer portal.
After three seasons with the Tar Heels, Johnson announced Wednesday via Instagram that he was entering the portal. The 6-foot-8 junior averaged 4.1 points and 2.7 rebounds this past season as the team’s top bench player with an average of 15.9 minutes per game.
"I'm grateful to be a Tar Heel. My time in Chapel Hill has taught me lessons that extend far beyond the basketball court. I have given my 100% to the university on and off the court," Johnson wrote.
"A heartfelt thanks to Coach (Roy) Williams for recruiting me and giving me the opportunity to play at Carolina. I also want to thank Coach (Hubert) Davis and the entire UNC staff for giving me the opportunity to play under their leadership for the last two years. To my teammates, thank you for always being by my side and for being my brothers."
UNC PORTAL TRACKER:Puff Johnson latest to exit from Heels
Johnson was hindered by injuries in his three seasons, missing more than 30 games. He had 11 points and six rebounds in UNC's 2022 national championship loss to Kansas. The Tar Heels finished this season with a 20-13 record, missed the NCAA Tournament and decided to not play in the NIT.
"I will always love you, but the time has come for me to enter the transfer portal and take the next step as a basketball player," Johnson wrote. "Thank you all for respecting my decision. I will always be a Tar Heel."
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Puff Johnson is UNC basketball's fourth player in transfer portal
