David Johnson (basketball)

David Johnson

Johnson with Louisville in 2019
No. 13–Memphis Hustle
Position	Shooting guard
League	NBA G League
Personal information
Born	(2001-02-26) February 26, 2001 (age 22) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight	205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school	Trinity (Louisville, Kentucky)
College	Louisville (2019–2021)
NBA draft	2021: 2nd round, 47th overall pick
Selected by the Toronto Raptors
Playing career	2021–present
Career history
2021–2022	Toronto Raptors
2021–2022	→Raptors 905
2022–2023	Raptors 905
2023–present	Memphis Hustle
Stats   at NBA.com
Stats   at Basketball-Reference.com

David Ricardo Johnson (born February 26, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals, and was drafted by the Toronto Raptors in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft.

Early life and high school career

Johnson grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and attended Trinity High School. As a sophomore, Johnson averaged 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game and was named third team All-State. ^[1] He was named first team All-State as a junior after averaging 13.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. ^{[2] [3]} Johnson was ranked a four-star recruit and the best college prospect in the state of Kentucky by ESPN and committed to play at Louisville early during his senior year. ^{[4] [5]} He de-committed after Louisville was named as part of the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball corruption scandal, but recommitted after considering offers from Georgia and Xavier. ^[6] As a senior, Johnson averaged 16.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and four assists per game and was named First Team All-State and the Player of the Year by the Lexington Herald-Leader . He was named the MVP of the Kentucky Sweet 16 state tournament after recording 22 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and four blocked shots in the state title game. ^[7] He scored 1,472 points and grabbed 719 rebounds in four seasons as a starter at Trinity. ^[8]

College career

Johnson missed the beginning of his freshman season with an offseason shoulder injury. ^{[7] [9]} Johnson played mostly as a key reserve during his freshman season with occasional starts. He scored a season high 19 points with seven assists, four rebounds and three steals in Louisville's upset win over Duke on January 18, 2020. ^[10] Johnson started at point guard against Syracuse on February 19, 2020, and led the team with seven assists in the 90–66 win in addition to three points. ^[11] Johnson averaged 6.3 points, 2.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game in 27 games with four starts for the season. ^[12] As a sophomore, he averaged 12.6 points, 3.2 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game. Following the season, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft. ^[13] Johnson was a projected lottery pick in the middle of the year for the 2021 NBA draft ^[14]

Professional career

Toronto Raptors (2021–2022)

Johnson was selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft with the 47th pick by the Toronto Raptors. ^[15] On August 8, 2021, he signed a two-way contract with Toronto, splitting time with their G League affiliate, Raptors 905. ^[16]

Raptors 905 (2022–2023)

On October 15, 2022, Johnson signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Toronto Raptors and was waived later that day. ^[17] He then joined the Raptors 905 as an affiliate player. ^[18]

Memphis Hustle (2023–present)

On August 31, 2023, Johnson's rights were traded to the Memphis Hustle ^[19] and on October 18, he signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. ^[20] However, he was waived three days later, prior to opening night. ^[21] On October 30, he joined the Hustle. ^[22]

Career statistics

Legend

GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field goal percentage	3P%	3-point field goal percentage	FT%	Free throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

NBA

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2021–22	Toronto	2	0	1.0	.000	.000	–	.0	.0	.0	.0	.0
Career		2	0	1.0	.000	.000	–	.0	.0	.0	.0	.0

College

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2019–20	Louisville	27	4	16.0	.493	.217	.600	2.8	2.8	.7	.3	6.3
2020–21	Louisville	19	19	35.1	.411	.386	.700	5.8	3.2	1.1	.3	12.6
Career		46	23	23.9	.444	.349	.650	4.0	2.9	.8	.3	8.9

Personal life

Johnson is a cousin of former Louisville and current professional basketball player Ray Spalding. ^[23]

References

1. Kareell, David (May 25, 2017). "Trinity's David Johnson called into USA Basketball Under-16 training camp". The Courier-Journal . Retrieved March 17, 2020.
2. Frakes, Jason (April 13, 2018). "Kentucky boys basketball All-State: Trinity's David Johnson". The Courier-Journal . Retrieved March 17, 2020.
3. "Stronger David Johnson looking to lead Trinity and Mr Basketball race". The Courier-Journal . November 16, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
4. Daniels, Evan (September 22, 2018). "Four-star guard David Johnson commits to Louisville". 247Sports.com. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
5. Greer, Jeff (June 19, 2019). "A look at Louisville-bound guard David Johnson". The Athletic . Retrieved March 17, 2020.
6. Lerner, Danielle (September 23, 2018). "Trinity basketball star David Johnson commits to hometown Louisville — again". USATodayHSS.com. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
7. Crawford, Eric (July 25, 2019). "Louisville freshman David Johnson injures shoulder, could be out 4-6 months". WDRB.com. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
8. Demling, Jody (January 20, 2020). "Louisville freshman David Johnson not expected to miss any time". 247Sports.com. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
9. Draut, Sam (January 17, 2020). "David Johnson continues to progress for Louisville backcourt". SI.com . Retrieved March 17, 2020.
10. Dauster, Rob (January 18, 2020). "David Johnson shines as No. 11 Louisville beats No. 3 Duke, 79-73". NBC Sports . Retrieved March 17, 2020.
11. Bozich, Rich (February 19, 2020). "For starters, David Johnson leads Louisville past Syracuse". WDRB.com. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
12. "Louisville basketball: David Johnson could be key to postseason run". The Courier-Journal . March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
13. Bozich, Rick (April 14, 2021). "David Johnson leaving Louisville basketball for 2021 NBA Draft". WDRB. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
14. McGavic, Matthew. "Raptors select David Johnson in Second Round of 2021 NBA Draft". Sports Illustrated Louisville Cardinals News, Analysis and More. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
15. Russell, Shannon (July 30, 2021). "Louisville guard David Johnson taken by Toronto Raptors in NBA draft's second round". The Courier-Journal . Retrieved August 2, 2021.
16. Toronto Raptors [@Raptors] (August 9, 2021). "Dreams into reality. We've signed @davidjohnson13 to a two-way contract. #WeTheNorth" (Tweet). Retrieved August 14, 2021– via Twitter.
17. Rose, Aaron (October 15, 2022). "Raptors Sign David Johnson, Reggie Perry, and Others to Exhibit 10 Deals". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
18. "David Johnson: Joins G League's 905". CBSSports.com. October 26, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
19. "Memphis Hustle Complete Trade with Raptors 905". OurSportsCentral.com. August 31, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
20. "Memphis Grizzlies sign Adonis Arms and David Johnson". NBA.com. October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
21. "Memphis Grizzlies finalize 2023/24 Opening Night roster". NBA.com. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
22. "Memphis Hustle announce 2023-24 training camp roster". NBA.com. October 30, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
23. "Trinity High star David Johnson still considering Louisville". The Courier-Journal . December 22, 2017. Retrieved March 17, 2020.

External links

• Louisville Cardinals bio
• USA Basketball bio