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UNC Basketball: NBA Tar Heel Helps Lead Nets to Statement Win
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Ben Simmons made his well-hyped return for the Brooklyn Nets (19-27) on Monday night, and former UNC basketball forward Cam Johnson played his part in ensuring the team showed what it's capable of with their former No. 1 overall draft pick back in action. They posted a 147-114 home win over the Utah Jazz (24-24).
Simmons flirted with a triple-double (10 points without missing a shot, eight rebounds, 11 assists) in only 18 minutes off the bench.
As for Johnson, the No. 11 overall pick in 2019 following his two seasons as a Tar Heel, he finished with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one steal while shooting 6-for-10 from the field, 3-for-4 beyond the arc, and 2-for-2 at the charity stripe across his 30 minutes as a starter.
Between his past three outings, the 27-year-old has knocked down eight of his 13 attempts from downtown while totaling only two turnovers.
Cameron Johnson, in his fifth season as a pro and first full campaign in Brooklyn, is now averaging 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists as a full-time starter. He's shooting 45.6 percent from the field, 40.4 percent from three, and 72.4 percent at the foul line.
He and the Nets, who have won two in a row and currently sit at No. 10 in the Eastern Conference standings, look to build on what they displayed against the Jazz when they host the Phoenix Suns (27-20) at 8:30 p.m. ET Wednesday.
Brooklyn's other UNC basketball talent, center Day'Ron Sharpe, remains out of commission with the knee injury he sustained a few weeks ago.
Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more updates on NBA Tar Heels and other UNC basketball news.