CHAPEL HILL — Cameron Johnson missed North Carolina’s season-opening basketball win against Northern Iowa last Friday because of a pain in the neck.
It’s a pain in his left knee that will keep him out of action for at least the next 4-6 weeks.
The graduate transfer from Pittsburgh suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee in practice on Monday. He underwent successful surgery at UNC Hospitals this afternoon, hours before the Tar Heels take the court for their game against Bucknell.
“I’m extremely disappointed for Cameron,” UNC coach Roy Williams said in a statement. “The young man has been working hard to blend in with our team after being such a productive college player the last two-plus seasons.”
Johnson, a 6-foot-8 forward, is expected fill the void left by the departure of last season’s ACC Player of the Year Justin Jackson. He played in the Tar Heels’ exhibition win against Barton on Oct. 27 and in the team’s exhibition jamboree two weeks later, but missed Friday’s opener with a sprained neck.
His injuries are unrelated.
Johnson started every game for Pittsburgh last season, averaging 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists. A target date for his return won’t be known until after surgery.
Also on the injury front, UNC announced Wednesday that sophomore guard Brandon Robinson won’t play against Bucknell because of a sprained right shoulder suffered against Northern Iowa.
