Cameron Johnson commits to North Carolina despite no waiver from Pitt

Despite the fact Pitt has not granted a waiver allowing him to play at an ACC school next season, Cameron Johnson told ESPN's Jeff Goodman he's committed to North Carolina as a graduate transfer.

Under normal graduate-transfer regulations, Johnson would be able to play immediately for his new school, but it's Pitt's policy that a player must sit for a season if they transfer to a school within the conference.

"It's still in limbo, but Coach (Roy) Williams and the staff are confident I will be able to play next year at North Carolina," Johnson said. "I trust them."

Johnson is one of the most prized graduate transfers on the market, having scored 11.9 points per game last season while also adding 4.5 rebounds. The 6-foot-8 210-pounder is one the best shooters in the ACC, pouring in 42 percent of his 3-pointers during his third campaign with the Panthers.

After announcing his decision, Johnson issued a lengthy letter explaining his choice and the steps that he's taken throughout this process. He specifically pointed out the double standard in allowing coaches and administrators still under contract to change schools, five of which have done so during his three years at Pitt.

"All five of these individuals left their jobs under contract and all had the freedom to move as they pleased," Johnson wrote, as relayed by The News and Observer's Andrew Carter. "As a student-athlete, who is not a paid employee of the school, and a graduate, shouldn't I be granted the same freedom of movement?"

The letter also says Pitt's insistence on having Johnson sit out a year before joining North Carolina is against the rules. As a graduate transfer, he is either eligible right away, or not at all, which continues to complicate the matter.

Should Johnson receive the full waiver from Pitt, he will be a natural replacement for Tar Heels star Justin Jackson, who declared early for the NBA draft.