Cam Johnson named finalist for NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award

Former UNC forward Cam Johnson was named a finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year Award.

In the midst of a career year, former UNC wing and current Phoenix Suns forward [autotag]Cam Johnson[/autotag] continues to be one of the more valuable pieces to any NBA team.

On Sunday, Johnson was named a finalist for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award. The other two finalists are Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat and Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In 66 games this season, Johnson averaged 12.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He also shot 42.5 percent from three on 2.5 made 3s per game. In total, Johnson set new career-highs in points (12.5), rebounds (4.1), assists (1.5), steals (0.9), field goal percentage (46%), three-point percentage (42.5%) and free throw percentage (86%).

The former NBA Lottery pick — 11th overall in 2019 — has lived up to the three-point shooter he was known for at North Carolina. Each year, however, he has continued to add more and more to his all-around game.

In his three years, Johnson has averaged 10.4 points per game and 39 percent from three. He has played in 183 games with just 36 starts.

Johnson played in 21 playoff games a season ago and averaged 8.2 points per game while shooting 44.6 percent from three.

The Suns have the No. 1 overall seed in the Western Conference and face the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round.

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