DerMarr Johnson

Last updated

DerMarr Johnson
Personal information
Born (1980-05-05) May 5, 1980 (age 44)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight201 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school Maine Central Institute
(Pittsfield, Maine)
College Cincinnati (1999–2000)
NBA draft 2000: 1st round, 6th overall pick
Selected by the Atlanta Hawks
Playing career2000–2015
Position Shooting guard / small forward
Number1, 4, 3, 8
Coaching career2021–present
Career history
As player:
20002003 Atlanta Hawks
2003 Long Beach Jam
2004 New York Knicks
20042007 Denver Nuggets
2007 Benetton Treviso
2007 Austin Toros
2007–2008 San Antonio Spurs
2009–2010 Jiangsu Dragons
2010 Leones de Ponce
2010–2011 Sagesse Club Beirut
2011 Bukaros
2012 Barako Bull Energy
2012 Osos de Guadalajara
2013 Libertad Sunchales
2013–2014 Guaros de Lara
2014 Fuerza Regia
2015 Indios de San Francisco de Macorís
As coach:
2023–2024 West Virginia (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
As player:
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

DerMarr Miles Johnson (born May 5, 1980) is a retired American basketball player and current assistant coach who most recently was an assistant coach at West Virginia and retired professional basketball player who played seven seasons in the NBA.

Contents

College career

Johnson was a consensus McDonald's, Parade Magazine and USA Today high school All-American as well as Parade's National High School Player of the Year as a senior in 1999. Johnson chose to the University of Cincinnati and would play for coach Bob Huggins alongside Steven Logan and future NBA players Kenyon Martin and Kenny Satterfield. The 1999–2000 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team were one of the nation's most talented teams, spending the majority of the season ranked No. 1 before Kenyon Martin injured his knee in the conference tournament and cut short what could have been a deep March Madness run by the Bearcats. [1] Johnson was a one and done and declared for the NBA draft after his lone season at Cincinnati.

Professional career

Johnson was selected sixth overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2000 NBA draft. His debut game was played on October 31, 2000, in a 82 - 106 loss to the New Orleans Hornets where he played for a little under 6 minutes and only recorded 1 steal, 1 turnover and 3 fouls. [2]

In two seasons with the Hawks, he averaged 6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. On September 13, 2002, Johnson's car crashed into a tree and caught fire. It was not known who was driving; Johnson was one of three occupants and cracked four vertebrae in his neck, [3] [4] nearly causing paralysis. [5] Fitted to a halo brace during his recovery, [6] Johnson was sidelined for the entire 2002-03 NBA season, and questions surfaced regarding him ever playing again. He returned to the league in October 2003 when he signed with the Phoenix Suns only to be waived two weeks later without ever having played a game for them. He then moved on to the American Basketball Association's Long Beach Jam where he played 19 games, before rejoining the NBA, signing a contract with the New York Knicks. The following season, in 2004–05, Johnson rejuvenated his career with the Denver Nuggets, playing in 71 games and averaging 7.1 points on 49.9 percent field goal shooting. During the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons, Johnson averaged 5 points on 40 percent shooting in 97 games.

Johnson reportedly signed with Italian team Benetton Treviso in August 2007, [7] but quickly jumped back to the NBA Development League's San Antonio affiliate Austin Toros. Johnson averaged 15.8 points and 6 rebounds in 10 games with the Toros. On December 29 he signed with the San Antonio Spurs after they waived rarely used rookie combo guard Marcus Williams. [8] But on January 7, 2008, Johnson was released from San Antonio Spurs. He was again re-signed by the Spurs, in April. In total, Johnson only played 5 games with the Spurs.

Johnson's final NBA game was played on April 13, 2008, in a 85–106 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. In his final game, he recorded 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 steal. [9]

Post NBA

In October 2010 Johnson signed with Hekmeh in Lebanon. [10] Johnson then signed with the Colombian League team Bukaros in September 2011. In 2012, he played for Barako Bull Energy in the Philippines. He also played for the Osos de Guadalajara in the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP), where he averaged 26.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. [11] He then played in Argentina and Venezuela. [12]

Johnson competed for Team City of Gods in The Basketball Tournament. He was a forward on the 2015 team which made it to the semifinals, losing to Overseas Elite 84–71.[ citation needed ]

Coaching career

On January 25, 2017, the University of Cincinnati hired Johnson as a student assistant coach for the men's basketball team while Johnson completed his unfinished degree, which he did in 2019.[ citation needed ]

In May 2021, Johnson returned to his alma mater to be director of player development for the men's basketball program under coach Wes Miller.[ citation needed ]

Midway through the 2022–23 season on January 16, 2023, Johnson was announced as an assistant coach under his former college coach Bob Huggins at West Virginia. [13]

Johnson stayed on at WVU as an assistant after the firing of Bob Huggins. His contract was not renewed after the 2023–2024.

Arrests and Off Court Issues

In 2007, DerMarr Johnson was charged with resisting arrest and interfering with police during a disturbance outside a Denver nightclub. Police said they used a taser to calm the 6-foot-9 player. [14]

In 2008 Johnson was also arrested for DUI in San Antonio. [15] He was pulled over for going 85 MPH in a posted 65 MPH zone. Police smelled alcohol and Johnson admitted to drinking "a few cups" of wine.

Johnson was also seen frequently in Morgantown enjoying Nightlife. Speculation about his commitment to coaching and widely known presence in the bars of Morgantown, may have led to his contract not being renewed by WVU.

Some argue that due to his 2002 wreck as well, that Johnson is one of the biggest busts in NBA History. [16]

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GPGames 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

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2000–01 Atlanta 782116.8.374.323.7362.3.8.6.45.1
2001–02 Atlanta 724624.0.396.360.8103.41.1.9.88.4
2003–04 New York 21113.7.371.361.9031.9.5.4.35.4
2004–05 Denver 714017.4.499.358.7922.11.1.6.37.1
2005–06 Denver 582115.9.431.350.8101.7.9.4.46.1
2006–07 Denver 39710.7.325.216.7621.5.4.4.33.5
2007–08 San Antonio 505.6.500.333.000.2.2.2.03.4
Career34413617.2.411.336.7892.2.9.6.46.2

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2004 New York 305.7.000.000.000.7.7.0.3.0
2005 Denver 4219.5.550.3641.0002.0.8.5.57.3
2006 Denver 3011.3.231.100.0003.3.7.0.32.3
Career10212.9.368.2081.0002.0.7.2.43.6

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Van Exel</span> American basketball coach and former player

Nickey Maxwell Van Exel is an American professional basketball coach and former player who last served as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Van Exel played for six NBA teams from 1993 through 2006. He was an NBA All-Star with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ira Newble</span> American basketball player

Ira Reynolds Newble II is an American former professional basketball player. He played in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Seattle SuperSonics, and Los Angeles Lakers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boris Diaw</span> French basketball executive and former player

Boris Babacar Diaw-Riffiod, better known as Boris Diaw, is a French basketball executive and former player who is the president of Metropolitans 92 of LNB Pro A. Diaw began his playing career in Pro A and returned to that league after 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played mostly at the power forward position. In 2006, Diaw was named the NBA's Most Improved Player as a member of the Phoenix Suns. He won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014.

Clarence "Chucky" Brown Jr. is an American men's college basketball coach and former professional basketball player.

Michael Gansey is an American professional basketball executive and former player who is currently the general manager for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He previously served as assistant general manager for the Cavaliers and general manager for the Cavaliers' NBA G League affiliate, the Canton Charge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyrone Corbin</span> American basketball player and coach

Tyrone Kennedy Corbin is an American former basketball player who last worked as an assistant coach for the Charlotte Hornets. He was first appointed the assistant coach of the Phoenix Suns, then was named the Utah Jazz’s head coach, on February 10, 2011, following the resignation of longtime coach Jerry Sloan. He was also the brief interim head coach of the Sacramento Kings in the 2014–15 season before being replaced by George Karl. Prior to that, Corbin played 16 seasons in the NBA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avery Johnson</span> American basketball player and coach

Avery DeWitt Johnson is an American basketball television commentator and former player and coach who most recently served as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team. He is currently an NBA and college basketball analyst for CBS Sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James White (basketball)</span> American basketball player

James William White IV is an American former professional basketball player and current player development coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. R. Reid</span> American basketball player (born 1968)

Herman "J. R." Reid Jr. is an American former professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers. Reid played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was a consensus first-team All-American as a sophomore in 1988. He won a bronze medal as a member of the United States national team at the 1988 Summer Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Da'Sean Butler</span> American basketball coach (born 1988)

Da'Sean Butler is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is currently an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for West Virginia University. Butler was drafted 42nd overall by the Miami Heat in the 2010 NBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeMarre Carroll</span> American basketball player (born 1986)

DeMarre LaEdrick Carroll is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected as the 27th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2009 NBA draft. Carroll played in the NBA for 11 seasons with the Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets and San Antonio Spurs. He played college basketball for the Vanderbilt Commodores and Missouri Tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Zeller</span> American basketball player (born 1990)

Tyler Paul Zeller is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball at the University of North Carolina, where as a freshman he played on their 2009 national championship team and as a senior was an All-American and the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year. He is the nephew of former NBA player Al Eberhard, and the brother of fellow NBA players Cody Zeller and Luke Zeller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wesley Johnson (basketball)</span> American basketball player (born 1987)

Wesley JaMarr Johnson is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is a player development assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for Syracuse University and Iowa State University. He was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Alexander</span> American basketball player (born 1986)

Joseph Anthony Alexander is a Taiwan-born American-Israeli professional basketball player who last played for Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. Alexander, who at 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) plays both forward positions, was selected for the 2007 All-Big East squad during his collegiate career with West Virginia and was an All-American Honorable Mention. He was selected eighth overall in the 2008 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. He is the first-ever Taiwanese-born NBA player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Anderson (basketball)</span> American basketball player (born 1989)

James Lee Anderson is an American professional basketball player who last played for Manisa BB of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL). He played college basketball at Oklahoma State University. In 2010, Anderson was named Big 12 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year and a first team All-American. He was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 20th overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft.

Carldell "Squeaky" Johnson is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball at the University of Alabama-Birmingham from 2003 to 2006 after beginning his collegiate career at Salt Lake Community College. Since turning professional in 2006, he has spent time with three different teams in Mexico and two in Belgium, as well as having multiple stints with the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League. He has been a non-roster invitee of the San Antonio Spurs on two occasions and played with the New Orleans Hornets during the 2011–12 NBA season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gorgui Dieng</span> Senegalese basketball player

Gorgui Sy Dieng is a Senegalese former professional basketball player currently working as a basketball operations representative with the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals.

The 2002–03 NBA season was the Hawks' 54th season in the National Basketball Association, and 35th season in Atlanta. Atlanta hosted the 2003 NBA All-Star Game. In the off-season, the Hawks acquired All-Star forward Glenn Robinson from the Milwaukee Bucks. However, DerMarr Johnson missed the entire season with a broken neck sustained from an off-season car accident. With the addition of Robinson, and Theo Ratliff playing his first full season with the team, the Hawks would get off to a 6–4 start, which included a road win over the 3-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, 95–83 at Staples Center on November 12. However, they would proceed to struggle as head coach Lon Kruger was fired after Christmas with the team floundering at 11–16. Under replacement Terry Stotts, the Hawks lost 12 of their next 15 games, including two six-game losing streaks in December and January, and held a 19–30 record at the All-Star break. Despite winning six of their final eight games in April, they finished fifth in the Central Division with a 35–47 record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Wieskamp</span> American basketball player (born 1999)

Joseph Hinman Wieskamp is an American professional basketball player for the South East Melbourne Phoenix of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the Iowa Hawkeyes before being drafted 41st overall in the 2021 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs.

Miles James "Deuce" McBride is an American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

References

  1. "MARTIN'S INJURY FELLS CINCINNATI". Chicago Tribune . March 10, 2000. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  2. "Hornets vs Hawks, October 31, 2000".
  3. Johnson expected to recover, season jeopardized – NBA – ESPN
  4. Hawks cautiously encouraged by Johnson's progress – NBA – ESPN
  5. Flight Delay – ESPN Insider
  6. Johnson to wear Halo brace up to eight weeks – NBA – ESPN
  7. Denver Post Footnotes [ permanent dead link ], updated September 11, 2007
  8. Spurs add journeyman guard Johnson, waive rookie Williams
  9. Spurs Sign DerMarr Johnson, NBA.
  10. "Lebanon Basketball, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards – asia-basket".
  11. "DerMarr Johnson se suma a Libertad". Sunchales DíaxDía (in Spanish). January 25, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  12. Guaros de Lara sign DerMarr Johnson
  13. Messerly, Bryan (January 16, 2023). "DerMarr Johnson Named Men's Basketball Assistant Coach". wvusports.com. WVU Athletics. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  14. "Nuggets' Johnson tased, arrested outside nightclub". ESPN.com. June 10, 2007. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  15. "San Antonio Spurs". NBA Crime Library. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  16. "Biggest draft busts since the 1980 NBA Draft". Yardbarker. June 21, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024.