Tiffani Johnson

Last updated
Tiffani Johnson
Personal information
Born (1975-12-27) December 27, 1975 (age 45)
Charlotte, North Carolina
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school Garinger (Charlotte, North Carolina)
College Tennessee (1994–1997)
WNBA draft 1998 / Undrafted
Playing career1998–2008
Position Center
Number4, 0, 5
Career history
1998 Sacramento Monarchs
20002004 Houston Comets
2006 Seattle Storm
Career highlights and awards

Tiffani Tamara Johnson (born December 27, 1975) is an American former professional basketball player. She played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) for the Sacramento Monarchs, Houston Comets and Seattle Storm. Johnson won a WNBA championship with the Comets in 2000. She played college basketball for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers and won two NCAA championships in 1996 and 1997.

Contents

High school career

Johnson attended Garinger High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, and was selected as North Carolina Miss Basketball in 1994. [1] She was considered one of the most dominant players in state history as she averaged 28 points and 20 rebounds per game during her senior season. [2] Johnson committed to play college basketball for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers for its tradition and intensity level. [3]

College career

Johnson won her first NCAA championship with the Lady Volunteers in 1996 as she scored 16 points in the title game. [4] At the end of the season, she was suspended for disciplinary reasons and barred from attending team functions including visiting the White House. [5] Johnson won a second NCAA championship with the Lady Volunteers in 1997. [6] She was dropped from the team in 1997 before her senior season by head coach Pat Summitt for disciplinary reasons. [7]

Professional career

Johnson declared for the 1998 American Basketball League (ABL) draft, [8] and was selected as the 26th overall pick by the San Jose Lasers. [9]

Johnson was included on the training camp roster of the Los Angeles Sparks during the 1999 season. [10]

Johnson was a starter for the Houston Comets when they won a WNBA championship in 2000. [11]

On February 22, 2004, Johnson signed with the Houston Stealth of the National Women's Basketball League. [12]

On May 18, 2005, Johnson was waived by the Comets. At the time, she ranked fourth all-time with the Comets in games played (150), total rebounds (643) and blocked shots (79). [13]

Johnson played for the Seattle Storm during the 2006 season as a late addition to the team. [14]

On April 2, 2008, Johnson signed a training camp deal with the New York Liberty. [15] She was waived by the team on May 14, 2008. [16]

Personal life

Johnson graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. [17] She is a cousin of fellow basketball player Ivory Latta. [18]

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References

  1. "Mr. and Ms. Basketballs through the years". The Charlotte Observer. April 5, 2012. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  2. "AP Picks Johnson Top Player In State". News & Record. April 27, 1994. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  3. Hass, Bill (November 16, 1993). "Garinger's Johnson Ready To Pump Up The Volume". News & Record. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  4. Gelin, Dana (April 8, 1996). "Four on the Floor". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  5. "Tiffani Johnson suspended from Tennessee's championship team". Associated Press. April 23, 1996. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  6. "Tennessee 68, Old Dominion 59". UPI. March 30, 1997. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  7. "National Women's Preview". The Washington Post. October 31, 1997. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  8. "Comparing the Drafts". Hartford Courant. April 26, 1998. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  9. Slusser, Susan (May 6, 1998). "Lasers Take Rebounding Star in ABL Draft / `Shep' to step in at forward for San Jose". SFGate. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  10. Gustkey, Earl (May 14, 1999). "Sparks See a Big Plus in Additions". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  11. Negley, Cassandra (April 6, 2020). "Best Teams Ever bracket: WNBA edition, championship round". Yahoo! Sport. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  12. "Stealth announces signing of Tiffani Johnson". OurSportsCentral. February 22, 2004. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  13. "Johnson and Lambert Waived by Comets". Our Sports Central. May 18, 2005. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  14. Evans, Jayda (May 19, 2006). "Seattle Storm a global threat". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  15. "Liberty Signs Three Post Players To Training Camp Contracts". WNBA. April 2, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  16. "New York Liberty 2008 Season". New York Liberty. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  17. "WNBA Stars to host youth basketball camp in Charlotte". PRWeb. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  18. Garvin, Jennifer (August 1, 2001). "Point Guard Stands Tall As Carolina Wins Title". Daily Press. Retrieved November 15, 2021.