David Johnson (basketball)

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.

David Johnson
Johnson with Louisville in 2019
No. 13 – Memphis Hustle
PositionShooting guard
LeagueNBA G League
Personal information
Born (2001-02-26) February 26, 2001 (age 23)
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High schoolTrinity
(Louisville, Kentucky)
CollegeLouisville (2019–2021)
NBA draft2021: 2nd round, 47th overall pick
Selected by the Toronto Raptors
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021–2022Toronto Raptors
2021–2022Raptors 905
2022–2023Raptors 905
2023–presentMemphis Hustle
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Early life

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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

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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

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Toronto Raptors (2021–2022)

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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)

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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)

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On October 18, 2023, Johnson signed with the Memphis Grizzlies.[19] However, he was waived three days later[20] and on October 30, he joined the Memphis Hustle.[21]

On October 16, 2024, Johnson signed once again with the Grizzlies,[22] but was waived the same day.[23]

Career statistics

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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
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

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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

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Johnson is a cousin of former Louisville and current professional basketball player Ray Spalding.[24]

References

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  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. ^ a b 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 August 8, 2021.
  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 Grizzlies sign Adonis Arms and David Johnson". NBA.com. October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  20. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies finalize 2023/24 Opening Night roster". NBA.com. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  21. ^ "Memphis Hustle announce 2023-24 training camp roster". NBA.com. October 30, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  22. ^ "Grizzlies sign David Johnson". NBA.com. October 16, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  23. ^ "Grizzlies sign Miles Norris". NBA.com. October 16, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  24. ^ "Trinity High star David Johnson still considering Louisville". The Courier-Journal. December 22, 2017. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
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