RALEIGH, N.C. — Former Pittsburgh guard Cameron Johnson wants to play immediately at North Carolina as a graduate transfer. The Panthers aren’t going along with that plan.

Pitt believes the 6-foot-8 Johnson should sit out a year if he goes to another Atlantic Coast Conference school instead of playing immediately as a graduate transfer with two seasons of eligibility. Johnson said Tuesday he has committed to play for the reigning national champion Tar Heels in Chapel Hill and issued an open letter saying Pitt is wrong to stand in his way.

His father said Tuesday night he doesn’t know how the situation will turn out.

“I am optimistic, but I don’t know what to expect,” said Gil Johnson, a former Pitt basketball player.