The veterans made their way back to Chapel Hill to hit the hardwood
You never quite know who will pop up at UNC during summer hoops sessions—even players fresh off big NBA trades.
Cameron Johnson, who was just dealt to the Denver Nuggets earlier this week, returned to Chapel Hill alongside a group of fellow Tar Heel alums for some workouts.
Photos posted on UNC basketball’s official social media showed Johnson, Luke Maye, Justin Jackson, and others sporting Carolina practice gear and enjoying some lively runs together.
Johnson joined UNC as a graduate transfer in 2017 after three years at Pitt. He played a key role on the 2017–18 squad that made it to the ACC title game and reached the NCAA second round before falling to Texas A&M.
In his fifth season, Johnson put everything together, averaging 16.9 points on 50.5% shooting, including an impressive 45.7% from beyond the arc. He earned first-team All-ACC honors and was selected 11th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Justin Jackson made a big impact across his three seasons in Chapel Hill from 2015–2017. Arriving as a highly touted freshman, he started 114 games during his college career. As a sophomore, Jackson helped lead UNC to an ACC title and a national championship game appearance—though that season ended with the heartbreaking buzzer-beater loss to Villanova.
His junior year cemented his legacy. Jackson became the ACC Player of the Year, earned consensus All-American status, and led the Tar Heels in scoring at 18.3 points per game. He capped his career by scoring 16 points in the title win over Gonzaga, securing Roy Williams’ third—and final—national championship.
Luke Maye is no stranger around Chapel Hill whenever he’s back from playing overseas. One of the most beloved players of the last decade, Maye had a breakout junior campaign in 2017–18, averaging 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds en route to first-team All-ACC recognition.
After initially declaring for the 2018 Draft, Maye decided to return for his senior year. Though his shooting regressed—his three-point percentage fell from over 43% to under 29%—he still posted a double-double average and earned second-team All-ACC honors as the Tar Heels reached the Sweet Sixteen.
It’s always special when the program’s veterans return to the court to connect with the next generation of Carolina stars.
Leave a Reply