Johnson was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. As a freshman at St. John Neumann Regional Academy Johnson was a physically underwhelming 5-foot 9-inch point guard. By the time his high school days were over, however, Johnson had grown to 6 feet 4 inches while turning in a fairly decorated career along the way. Despite leading his team to a 30–1 record while averaging 24.1 points, 15.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game, Johnson had no Division I offers after his senior year, with only a little bit of interest from St. Peters and St. Francis. Johnson played his AAU basketball for Team Pennsylvania, based out of Harrisburg.
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College career
Because of Johnson's lack of Division I offers he attended Frank Phillips College for his freshman and sophomore years. He then transferred to Missouri State University to finish his athletic and academic career.
On November 11, 2016, Johnson scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 91–65 win over Jacksonville State,[3] and on December 14, 2016, he scored 20 points and recorded 16 rebound in a ten-point win over Oral Roberts.[4] Later that month on December 30 Johnson scored a career-high 30 points on 50% shooting and grabbed 15 rebounds in an 81–75 overtime win over Indiana State.[5] Johnson finished 2016–17 with 17 double-doubles scoring 20 or more points in nine games and grabbing 10+ rebounds in twenty-two games including a stretch in January of ten straight 10+ rebounds. Also Johnson had 20 or more rebounds twice and one thirty-point game, including a 21-rebound effort in February. He was named to the MVC All-Tournament team.[6]
On April 21, 2017, Johnson declared for the 2017 NBA draft; however, Johnson did not hire an agent allowing him to return for his senior season. This move was most likely to receive feedback from NBA teams to see the interest. On May 15, 2017, Johnson was invited for a private workout with the Boston Celtics.[7] Prior to the draft Johnson withdrew his name from the draft and returned to MSU for his senior year.
Prior to the 2017–18 season, Johnson was invited to the Adidas Nations basketball camp with the likes of Michael Porter Jr. and other top level NBA talent. Johnson was named Most Valuable Player in the camp over these players and thus improved his draft stock and multiple NBA teams took notice. Mock drafts had Johnson in the middle to the late first round and others beginning of the second round prior to the season.[8]
Professional career
Indiana Pacers (2018–2020)
On June 21, 2018, Johnson was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 50th pick in the 2018 NBA draft. On July 6, 2018, Johnson made his debut for the Pacers at the 2018 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas where against the Houston Rockets Johnson scored 15 points had 4 rebounds and 2 assists in 16 minutes of play.[9] In the Pacers 2018 summer league finale Johnson started scoring 12 points grabbing 14 rebounds and having 4 assists.[10] Johnson played in 4 games during the 2018 summer league averaging 12.4 ppg, 8.6 rpg and 1.6 apg in 23 minutes played.
On July 17, 2018, Johnson signed a two-year, guaranteed contract worth $2,255,316 with the Pacers.[11]
On October 19, 2018, Johnson made his NBA debut vs the Milwaukee Bucks and scored two points in four minutes of play in a 118–101 loss.[12] Johnson remained with the team playing in two more games before being moved down to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on October 27. Johnson remained on the Mad Ants being called up for three games in December. He remained with the Pacers throughout all of January playing in seven games with limited minutes played.[13][14] Johnson remained in the G League until its season ended. Johnson finished the season with averages of 18.8 points per game, 13.5 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists per game and 1.4 blocks per game. In the Pacers season finale on April 10, 2019, Johnson saw significant playing time in 25 minutes he score 7 points and 11 rebounds in a 135–134 win over the Atlanta Hawks.[15]
On August 14, 2020, Johnson recorded a career-high 17 rebounds in the Pacers' 109–92 win over the Miami Heat.[16]
Raptors 905 (2021)
On November 27, 2020, Johnson signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Toronto Raptors[17] The signing was confirmed by the Raptors on December 1, 2020.[18] and was waived on December 19.[19] On January 27, 2021, Johnson signed with Raptors 905 of the NBA G League.[20] In 15 games, he averaged 16.6 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 steals in 32.1 minutes per game, helping the Raptors have the season's best record.[21]
Brooklyn Nets (2021)
On March 22, 2021, Johnson signed a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets.[21] On March 24, in his debut with the Nets, Johnson recorded a career-high 23 points along with 15 rebounds in the Nets' 118–88 loss to the Utah Jazz.[22] On April 1, Johnson was signed to a second 10-day contract.[23] On April 11, Johnson agreed to a multi-year contract.[24] On April 29, Johnson recorded a double-double with 20 points and a career-high 21 rebounds in a 130–113 win over the Indiana Pacers.[25] On September 3, he was waived by the Nets.[26]
Chicago Bulls (2021)
On September 8, 2021, Johnson signed with the Chicago Bulls.[27] On December 26, he was waived.[28]
On March 2, 2022, Johnson signed another 10-day contract, this time with the New Orleans Pelicans. He made his debut for the team that evening.[30] On March 11, he was waived.[31] A day later, he signed a 10-day contract with the Pelicans via the hardship exception.[32]
Austin / San Antonio Spurs (2022–2023)
On October 24, 2022, Johnson joined the Austin Spurs training camp roster.[33]
On November 29, 2022, Johnson signed a contract to join the San Antonio Spurs.[34] On December 13, he was waived by the Spurs[35] and two days later, he rejoined Austin.[36]
Johnson is the son of David Hill and Chanelle Johnson. Johnson has three brothers David, Davion, and Nasza as well as four sisters, Davesha, Destiny, Davida and Alana. He is the cousin of fellow professional basketball player Chevon Troutman, who plays overseas. Johnson graduated with a communications degree from Missouri State University in 2018.[42]
Charitable work and activism
Johnson is very active in the charity and activism landscape. Johnson mainly focuses on his hometown of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, but has also been a player in the Indianapolis area as well, participating in multiple community events with the Pacers and Mad Ants.[43][44] In late 2018, Johnson launched the Alize Johnson Foundation; the foundation's first major fundraiser gave out Thanksgiving meals to over 100 families in need in Williamsport.[45] In November 2018, Johnson donated basketball shoes for three Lycoming County varsity high school basketball teams, over 40 players from Williamsport, Loyalsock and St. John Neumann high schools were given pairs. In early 2019, Johnson announced he was donated $145,000 to open a basketball court at park.[46] On June 2, 2019, Johnson and city officials opened the court.[47] In July 2019, Johnson held his first annual basketball camp in Springfield at his alma mater.[48][49][50][51] On July 19, 2019, Johnson held his first basketball camp at his former high school. Forty-five kids participated and were given signed Pacers gear and all of the costs were absorbed by Johnson's foundation.[52]
