B. J. Johnson (basketball) – Wikipedia

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American basketball player

Robert “B. J.” Johnson Jr. (born December 21, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for Real Betis of the Spanish Liga ACB. He played college basketball for La Salle and Syracuse.

High school career[edit]

Johnson is the son of Robert Johnson, who played basketball at La Salle University from 1986 to 1990. B.J. grew up outside Philadelphia and attended Lower Merion High School, Kobe Bryant’s alma mater.[1] He had 22 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Chester High School in the 2013 state championship. Johnson was a top 100 high school prospect.[2]

College career[edit]

Johnson originally committed to Syracuse out of high school. He averaged 4.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore. After the season, he decided to transfer to La Salle. He explained that coach John Giannini told him he would be an impact player after sitting out the requisite year.[1] Johnson scored 35 points in a December 2016 win over Florida Gulf Coast.[2] As a junior at La Salle, Johnson led the team in points (17.6 per game) and rebounds (6.3) per game. He was named to the First team All-Big 5. After the season he declared for the 2017 NBA draft, but ultimately withdrew his name.[3] As a senior, Johnson was named to the Second Team All-Atlantic 10.[4] He was also named to the First Team All-Big 5 after a season in which he averaged 20.8 points per game, the most for an Explorer since Rasual Butler in 2002, as well as leading the team with 8.3 rebounds per game.[5] He graduated from La Salle with a degree in finance.[6]

Professional career[edit]

Lakeland Magic (2018–2019)[edit]

After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Johnson signed with the Charlotte Hornets for NBA Summer League competition.[6] On September 5, 2018, Johnson signed with the Orlando Magic.[7] He was waived by the Magic on October 10 but would play for their G League affiliate the Lakeland Magic.[8] On October 23, 2018, Johnson was included in the training camp roster of the Lakeland Magic.[9]

Atlanta Hawks (2019)[edit]

On March 1, 2019, Johnson signed a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks.[10][11] Johnson made his NBA debut two days later, putting up 11 points on perfect 4/4 shooting (3/3 three-point shooting), 2 rebounds, and a steal during 19 minutes of action in a 123–118 win over the Chicago Bulls.[12] On March 12, Johnson signed a second 10-day contract.[13] After the expiration of his second 10-day contract, Johnson returned to the Lakeland Magic.

Sacramento Kings (2019)[edit]

On April 2, 2019, Johnson signed a rest-of-season contract with the Sacramento Kings.[14] On July 19, 2019, Johnson was waived by the Kings.[15]

Orlando Magic (2019–2020)[edit]

On September 27, 2019, Johnson re-signed with the Orlando Magic for training camp,[16] however, he was waived on October 19.[17] On November 4, the Magic signed him to a two-way contract.[18] On January 4, 2020, Johnson tallied 35 points, eight rebounds and two assists in the G League against the Canton Charge.[19] He averaged 22.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game for Lakeland. Johnson was named to the All-NBA G League Second Team.[20]

Long Island Nets (2021)[edit]

On December 4, 2020, Johnson signed with the Miami Heat.[21] On December 19, 2020, Johnson was waived by the Heat.[22] He was added to the Long Island Nets roster and made his debut on February 10, 2021. In 14 games, he averaged 18.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 31.1 minutes per game.[23]

Brisbane Bullets (2021)[edit]

On April 19, 2021, Johnson signed with the Brisbane Bullets of the Australian National Basketball League for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.[24] In 11 games, he averaged 10.0 points and 3.7 rebounds in 21.5 minutes per game.[23]

Second stint with Lakeland / Orlando Magic (2021–2022)[edit]

On October 15, 2021, Johnson signed with the Orlando Magic,[25] but was waived the next day.[26] On October 28, he re-signed with the Lakeland Magic as an affiliate player[27] where he played 10 games and averaged 24.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 34.5 minutes per game.[23]

On December 17, 2021, Johnson signed a 10-day contract with the Orlando Magic.[23] and on January 4, 2022, he was reacquired and activated by Lakeland.[28]

Real Betis (2022–present)[edit]

On April 6, 2022, Johnson signed with Coosur Real Betis of the Spanish Liga ACB.[29]

Career statistics[edit]

NBA[edit]

Regular season[edit]

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Atlanta 6 0 7.2 .500 .500 1.000 1.3 .0 .3 .0 3.5
2018–19 Sacramento 1 0 6.0 .500 .000 — .0 .0 .0 .0 2.0
2019–20 Orlando 10 0 8.3 .281 .333 .900 1.5 .3 .3 .0 3.0
2021–22 Orlando 4 0 16.3 .440 .400 — 3.8 .0 .0 .3 6.5
Career 21 0 9.4 .387 .385 .917 1.8 .1 .2 .0 3.8

Playoffs[edit]

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020 Orlando 1 0 4.0 .500 1.000 – 2.0 .0 .0 .0 3.0

College[edit]

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14 Syracuse 10 0 5.5 .250 .125 — .9 .2 .1 .3 1.4
2014–15 Syracuse 25 4 14.6 .307 .262 .720 3.2 .5 .6 .2 4.2
2016–17 La Salle 29 28 32.6 .449 .362 .838 6.3 1.0 1.1 .5 17.6
2017–18 La Salle 27 27 35.2 .446 .359 .869 8.3 .7 1.3 .7 20.8
Career 91 59 25.5 .426 .335 .843 5.5 .7 .9 0.5 13.1

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Waters, Mike (March 23, 2015). “B.J. Johnson’s father details the reasons behind transferring from Syracuse to La Salle”. The Post-Standard. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Zeitlin, Dave (December 25, 2016). “After returning home, B.J. Johnson creating his own legacy at La Salle”. NBC Sports. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  3. ^ “La Salle’s B.J. Johnson will return for senior season”. NBC Sports. April 15, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  4. ^ “Aldridge, Adams Named Atlantic 10 Co-Players of Year, Rhode Island’s Hurley Voted as Coach of the Year” (Press release). Atlantic 10 Conference. March 6, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  5. ^ “Johnson Claims Three Philadelphia Big 5 Awards, Including First Team Honors”. La Salle Explorers. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Hunt, Donald (June 25, 2018). “La Salle’s B.J. Johnson to play for Charlotte Hornets in NBA Summer League”. The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  7. ^ “RELEASE: Magic sign free agent guard B.J. Johnson”. Magic PR on Twitter. September 5, 2018. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  8. ^ “Magic’s B.J. Johnson: Waived, will play in G-League”. CBS Sports. October 10, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  9. ^ “LAKELAND MAGIC FINALIZE TRAINING CAMP ROSTER”. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. October 23, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  10. ^ “Hawks Sign B.J. Johnson to 10-Day Contract”. NBA.com. March 1, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  11. ^ Johnson, Parker (March 1, 2019). “Johnson ready to make the most of 10-day deal with Hawks”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  12. ^ “Hawks vs. Bulls – Box Score – March 3, 2019 – ESPN”.
  13. ^ “Hawks’ B.J. Johnson: Getting second 10-day contract”. CBS Sports. March 12, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  14. ^ “Kings Sign BJ Johnson”. NBA.com. April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  15. ^ “Kings Waive BJ Johnson”. NBA.com. July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  16. ^ “PRESS RELEASE: Orlando Magic sign free agent B.J. Johnson”. Orlando Magic PR on Twitter. September 27, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  17. ^ “PRESS RELEASE: Magic waive five players”. Orlando Magic PR on Twitter. October 19, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  18. ^ “Magic Sign B.J. Johnson to Two-Way Contract”. NBA.com. November 4, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  19. ^ “Magic’s B.J. Johnson: Pops off for 35”. CBS Sports. January 4, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  20. ^ “Johnson, Magette and Law Named to All-NBA G League Teams”. Our Sports Central. June 26, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  21. ^ “BJ Johnson Signs With HEAT”. NBA.com. December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  22. ^ “Max Strus earns final Heat roster spot, on two-way deal; guard BJ Johnson waived”. sun-sentinel.com. December 19, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  23. ^ a b c d “Orlando Magic Sign Ford, Gravett, Johnson and Schofield to 10-Day Contracts”. NBA.com. December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  24. ^ “Bullets Sign Import BJ Johnson”. NBL.com.au. April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  25. ^ “Orlando Magic Sign B.J. Johnson”. NBA.com. October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  26. ^ “Orlando Magic Waive Four Players”. NBA.com. October 16, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  27. ^ “Lakeland Magic 2021-22 Training Camp Roster”. NBA.com. October 28, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  28. ^ “2021-22 NBA G League transactions”. NBA.com. January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  29. ^ “BJ Johnson, nuevo jugador del Coosur Real Betis”. RealBetisBalompie.es (in Spanish). April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.

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