Former UNC basketball star Cam Johnson joins finalized USA FIBA World Cup roster

Cam Johnson was a welcome addition to the UNC basketball roster for the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons.

The Moon Township, Pa. product averaged double-digit points each season in Carolina blue (12.4 in 2017-2018, 16.9 in 2018-2019). He helped the Tar Heels to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances each year, including a run to the Sweet 16 during their 2018-2019 campaign.

Johnson’s stellar two years in Chapel Hill paid off, as he was selected 11th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2019 NBA. His scoring output has increased in each professional season, including a career-high 16.6 points per game in 25 starts with the Brooklyn Nets this past year.

Now entering his fifth NBA season, Johnson is taking his talents to the national level.

On Thursday, July 6, Team USA finalized its roster for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, one that includes Johnson. He will play alongside the likes of some bright, young NBA talent: current Nets and former Suns teammate Mikal Bridges, former Duke stars Paolo Banchero and Brandon Ingram, 1-year Tar Heel Walker Kessler, 2020 NBA Draft top overall pick Anthony Edwards and former New York Knicks Star Jalen Brunson.

Johnson is tasked with trying to help Team USA capture their first title since 2014, when the Americans throttled Serbia, 129-92, in Spain behind 49 combined points from NBA stars Kyrie Irving and James Harden.

Team USA severely underachieved in the succeeding 2019 FIBA World Cup, finishing in seventh place despite a roster with NBA stars Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Kemba Walker and former Tar Heel Harrison Barnes.

After the 2023 World Cup, which runs from Aug. 25-Sept. 10 in Phillippines, Japan and Indonesia, Johnson’ll be turning his head back to preparing for his second season with a Nets squad that signed him to a 4-year, $108-million contract in June.

It’s an exciting time in the career of a talented, blossoming young player like Johnson.