AJ Johnson (basketball)

Last updated
AJ Johnson
No. 77–Milwaukee Bucks
Position Point guard / shooting guard
League NBA
Personal information
Born (2004-12-01) December 1, 2004 (age 19)
Fresno, California, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight160 lb (73 kg)
Career information
High school
NBA draft 2024: 1st round, 23rd overall pick
Selected by the Milwaukee Bucks
Playing career2023–present
Career history
2023–2024 Illawarra Hawks
2024–present Milwaukee Bucks
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com

Akeem Jamaal Johnson (born December 1, 2004) is an American basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He previously played for the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). Johnson was ranked as one of the best combo guards in the 2023 class.

Contents

Early life and career

Johnson was born in Fresno, California. He grew up around Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green and considered Green to be like a big brother. [1]

Some time in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson had a growth spurt where he grew from from 5 ft 10 to 6 ft 5. [2]

High school career

Johnson started his high school career at a school in Fresno, California before spending two years at Taft High School where he emerged as one of the biggest risers in part off a growth spurt in the 2023 class being one of the best combo-guards. [1] Johnson for his senior year decided to attend Donda Academy, Kanye West's school in Simi Valley, California. [3] After Donda Academy closed, Johnson finished his senior year at Southern California Academy. [4]

Johnson signed with Bill Duffy and WME Basketball. [5]

Recruiting

Johnson was seen as one of the best guards and combo guards in the 2023 class. At one point, Johnson was ranked as the 9th and 10th best player in the class by Rivals, ESPN, 247 and On3. On November 21, 2022, Johnson committed to the University of Texas choosing Texas over Louisville, USC, LSU and several other high-profile offers such as the NBL and NBA G League Ignite. [6] On April 13, 2023, Johnson announced his decommitment from Texas and announced his plan sign with the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League in Australia, joining LaMelo Ball, who went from a 2nd round pick to potential 1st pick with NBL's Next Stars program, as the second player to join the team out of high school. [5]

Professional career

Illawarra Hawks (2023–2024)

On April 13, 2023, Johnson signed a contract with the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League in Australia joining the NBL's Next Stars program. Johnson joined LaMelo Ball in 2019 as the other American born prospect to join the Hawks. [5] Johnson averaged 2.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game in 7.9 minutes a contest playing 25 games during his time with the Hawks. [7]

Milwaukee Bucks (2024–present)

On June 26, 2024, Johnson was drafted with the 23rd overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2024 NBA draft. [8] It was called a "surprising pick" as Johnson was expected to be a selection in the late second round. [9] On July 5, he signed with the Bucks. [10]

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References

  1. 1 2 Insight, Pro (2022-07-04). "AJ Johnson Q&A". Pro Insight. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  2. ↑ "Texas adds No. 25 prospect Johnson to class". ESPN.com. 2022-11-21. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  3. ↑ Karamanos, Alex (2022-08-11). "BREAKING: 2023 4-Star AJ Johnson will transfer to Donda Academy (CA)". Circuit Scouting. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  4. ↑ "Donda players find programs; No. 8 recruit to OTE". ESPN.com. 2022-11-03. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  5. 1 2 3 "Projected '24 lotto pick opts for NBL over Horns". ESPN.com. 2023-04-13. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  6. ↑ Conway, Tyler. "5-Star Guard Prospect AJ Johnson Commits to Texas over Louisville, LSU, USC, More". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  7. ↑ "AJ Johnson International Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  8. ↑ "Milwaukee Bucks Select AJ Johnson With 23rd Pick In 2024 NBA Draft". NBA.com. June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Bucks' AJ Johnson: Surprising pick at No. 23 to Bucks". CBSSports.com. June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Milwaukee Bucks Sign AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith". NBA.com. July 5, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
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