Photo credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Two UNC Basketball Talents Help Usher Pistons Into NBA Infamy
On Tuesday night, the Detroit Pistons needed a win to avoid the longest single-season losing streak in NBA history. Instead, they notched their 27th consecutive loss, a 118-112 home defeat at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets, who enjoyed key contributions from their two UNC basketball products in Cam Johnson and Day'Ron Sharpe.
Johnson, now averaging 15.0 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 41.1 percent beyond the arc this season, finished with a team-high 24 points. That included a 24-foot three to increase Brooklyn's lead to six with two minutes and change remaining in the fourth quarter.
The 27-year-old former lottery pick shot 9-for-13 from the field, 4-for-6 beyond the arc, and 2-for-4 at the charity stripe against the fully deflated Pistons (2-28). Johnson, who was a two-year Tar Heel forward (2017-19) following three seasons at Pitt, added two rebounds, one assist, and one steal across his 26 minutes as a starter.
As for Sharpe, a 2020-21 UNC basketball one-and-done before going No. 29 overall at the NBA Draft, the 22-year-old big man tallied his fifth double-double this season — all coming off the bench.
Sharpe, averaging a career-high 7.1 points and 7.1 rebounds, posted 11 points, 11 boards, three dimes, two steals, and four blocks on Tuesday night. That's impressive production in only 22 minutes of action. He shot 3-for-4 from the field and 5-for-7 at the charity stripe.
Brooklyn (15-15), looking to win three straight, now returns home to face the Milwaukee Bucks (22-8) at 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday.
Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC basketball news.
