Samson Johnson

Last updated
Samson Johnson
Samson Johnson White House.jpg
Johnson in 2023
Personal information
Born (2002-07-28) July 28, 2002 (age 22)
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
Position Power forward / center
Career highlights

Samson Roosevelt Faical Kuessi Johnson (born July 28, 2002) is a Togolese basketball player with the Indiana Pacers of the NBA. 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]

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.