Samson Johnson

Last updated
Samson Johnson
Samson Johnson White House.jpg
Johnson in 2023
No. 35Noblesville Boom
Position Power forward / center
League NBA G League
Personal information
Born (2002-07-28) July 28, 2002 (age 23)
Lomé, Togo
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school The Patrick School
(Hillside, New Jersey)
College UConn (2021–2025)
NBA draft 2025: undrafted
Playing career2025–present
Career history
2025–present Noblesville Boom
Career highlights
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Samson Roosevelt Faical Kuessi Johnson (born July 28, 2002) is a Togolese professional basketball player for the Noblesville Boom of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the UConn Huskies.

Contents

He was considered as the top incoming basketball recruit in UConn’s 2021 class. [1]

High school career

At The Patrick School, he played under coach Chris Chavannes who praised Johnson’s work ethic. He led his team to a 14–1 overall record. Johnson showed improvement as a junior as a role player on a team led by Adama Sanogo, who later completed an exceptional freshman season on the 2020–21 UConn Huskies men's basketball team. In October 2020, at a Slam16 all-star game at Gauchos Gym in The Bronx, Johnson wound up with 12 points, eight rebounds and six blocks to notch Co-Most Valuable Players honors for the game. He worked out with the Northeast Basketball Club, a program in northern New Jersey that often featured some of the state’s top committed prospects and current collegiate players. [1]

Recruiting

In November 2020, Johnson signed his national letter of intent to play for UConn Huskies men's basketball program. [2] A week after his recruitment, Johnson was rated as No. 39 in the nation (according to ESPN — ahead of both fellow UConn commits Rahsool Diggins and Jordan Hawkins, No.’s 56 and 57, respectively). Johnson moved up in the 247Sports recruiting site’s composite rankings, as well, from No. 76 back in November to No. 63. [1]

Player profile

Johnson’s former coach Chavannes reported, “you see a guy that can just dominate a game on both ends of the floor, in a matter of seconds. He can shoot the 3 in transition, follow-up dunks, clean up the boards, block shots. He can literally just dominate a game.” [1]

Jay David, Johnson’s coach at the youth basketball program NY Jayhawks AAU stated “..he can guard multiple positions.” Yet, in May 2021, David stressed that Johnson needed to add more strength to compete better in the very physical Big East Conference. [1]

Professional career

Noblesville Boom (2025–present)

On June 27, 2025, the Indiana Pacers signed Johnson to an Exhibit 10 contract. [3] On September 27, he was waived by the Pacers. [4] On October 27, the Noblesville Boom, the NBA G League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers, announced Johnson would be part of the 2025-2026 training camp roster. [5] On November 5, the Boom announced Johnson would be on the 2025-2026 regular season roster. [6]

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

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2021–22 UConn 1305.2.556.200.5001.1.0.1.21.7
2022–23 UConn 1213.9.500.0001.000.8.1.2.0.9
2023–24 UConn 40716.0.725.000.4322.8.5.4.95.4
2024–25 UConn 343419.4.766.7603.51.0.71.57.5
Career994214.3.728.111.6302.6.6.4.95.1

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 UConn commit Samson Johnson has rocketed up national recruiting rankings - and here's why David Borges (New Haven Register), 2 May 2021. Accessed 19 August 2021.
  2. Gavin Keefe (2 July 2021). "UConn's Johnson leaning on old pal Sanogo while adjusting to college life". The Day . Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  3. Dopirak, Dustin (27 June 2025). "Pacers sign UConn's Samson Johnson, ECU's R.J. Felton, Creighton's Steven Ashworth to Exhibit 10 deals". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  4. "Indiana Pacers Transactions - Sept. 27, 2025". NBA.com. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  5. Noblesville Boom [@noblesvilleboom] (27 October 2025). "our training camp roster is locked in 🔒time to get to work 💪" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 October 2025 via Twitter.
  6. Noblesville Boom [@noblesvilleboom] (November 5, 2025). "introducing our 2025-26 roster 😈" (Tweet). Retrieved November 5, 2025 via Twitter.