Wesley Johnson (basketball) explained

Wesley Johnson
Height Ft:6
Height In:7
Weight Lb:215
Team:Los Angeles Clippers
League:NBA
Birth Date:1987 7, mf=yes
Birth Place:Corsicana, Texas, U.S.
Highschool:Corsicana (Corsicana, Texas)
College:
Draft Year:2010
Draft Round:1
Draft Pick:4
Draft Team:Minnesota Timberwolves
Career Start:2010
Career End:2020
Career Position:Small forward / shooting guard
Career Number:4, 2, 11, 33, 24
Years1:
Team1:Minnesota Timberwolves
Team2:Phoenix Suns
Years3:
Team3:Los Angeles Lakers
Years4:
Team4:Los Angeles Clippers
Team5:New Orleans Pelicans
Team6:Washington Wizards
Years7:2019–2020
Team7:Panathinaikos
Highlights:
Stats League:NBA
Stat1label:Points
Stat1value:4,235 (7.0 ppg)
Stat2label:Rebounds
Stat2value:1,924 (3.2 rpg)
Stat3label:Assists
Stat3value:645 (1.1 apg)
Bbr:johnswe01
Position:Player development assistant

Wesley JaMarr Johnson (born July 11, 1987) 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).[1] 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.[2] [3]

High school career

In high school, he averaged 15.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.3 blocks as a senior at Corsicana High School. He was a first-team all-district pick in 2004 and 2005.[4] He also played for the Dallas Mustangs AAU team.[4]

College career

As a freshman at Iowa State, Johnson was named to the Big 12 all-Rookie team and earned honorable mention freshman All-America honors after averaging 12.3 points and 7.9 rebounds, starting 30 of 31 games. Johnson's highlights from his freshman year included 14 points and 13 rebounds in win against Missouri, including the game-winner on a tip-in with 1.6 seconds left. He also scored 17 points at No. 10 Texas A&M.

Johnson missed five games and played with an injured ankle throughout the majority of the season. He still was named an honorable mention all-Big 12 selection after averaging 12.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Johnson scored 20 points behind a 5-of-11 effort from 3-point range against eventual NCAA Champion Kansas.[4]

Johnson made the decision to transfer following the 2008 season, and selected Syracuse. Per NCAA transfer rules, he had to sit out the 2008–09 season, leaving him with two years of college eligibility.[5]

Johnson became a starter for the Orange in his first year with the team. In November 2009 he was named MVP of the 2K Coaches Classic after scoring 25 points in a Syracuse victory over the No. 6 North Carolina.[6] Johnson would score 17 points and grab 10 rebounds as Syracuse knocked off then-No. 10 Florida on December 10, 2009.[7] In his first game of Big East play, Johnson scored 20 points and grabbed a career high 19 rebounds as Syracuse defeated Seton Hall 80–73 on December 29, 2009.[8] Johnson was named Big East Player of the Year on March 9, 2010, finishing with season averages of 16.0 points and 8.4 rebounds.[9] On March 29, 2010, Johnson was named a First Team AP All American.[10] [11]

On April 12, 2010, Johnson declared himself eligible for the NBA draft, forgoing his final year of college eligibility.[12] [13] He signed with sports agent Rob Pelinka.[14]

Professional career

Minnesota Timberwolves (2010–2012)

Johnson was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 4th pick in the 2010 NBA draft. On March 18, 2011, Johnson scored a career-high 29 points on 11-for-21 shooting in a loss against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Phoenix Suns (2012–2013)

On July 27, 2012, Johnson was traded to the Phoenix Suns in a three-team deal.[15] In his first game with the Suns, Johnson scored a three-pointer in a close victory against the Detroit Pistons. Johnson would not gain significant playing time with the Suns until Lindsey Hunter took over as head coach for the team. On February 26, 2013, Johnson recorded 14 points, along with 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in an 84–83 victory against his former team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. A day later, Johnson made a game-tying three-pointer from a long pass by Jermaine O'Neal that helped the Suns win 105–101 in overtime against the San Antonio Spurs. On March 1, 2013, Johnson scored a season high 15 points and added six rebounds and two steals in a 92–87 victory against the Atlanta Hawks.[16]

Los Angeles Lakers (2013–2015)

On July 15, 2013, Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.[17] In his first season with the Lakers, Johnson averaged career highs in points, rebounds, steals and blocks. He was one of only eight players in the league to average at least 1 block and 1 steal per game, and the only perimeter player to do so. He had four games where he scored 20 or more points, the most since his rookie season. On November 29, 2013, Johnson recorded 27 points, along with 6 rebounds and 3 blocks, in a 106–102 victory against the Detroit Pistons. He tallied four double-doubles over the course of the season, a career high.

On July 28, 2014, Johnson re-signed with the Lakers on a one-year deal.[18]

Los Angeles Clippers (2015–2018)

On July 9, 2015, Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.[19] He made his debut for the Clippers in the team's season opener against the Sacramento Kings on October 28, recording 3 points and 1 steal in a 111–104 win.[20]

On July 8, 2016, Johnson re-signed with the Clippers.[21]

New Orleans Pelicans (2018–2019)

On October 15, 2018, Johnson was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Alexis Ajinça.[22]

Washington Wizards (2019)

On February 7, 2019, Johnson was traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Markieff Morris and a 2023 second-round pick.[23] On April 5, 2019, Johnson was waived by the Wizards.[24]

Panathinaikos (2019–2020)

On July 22, 2019, Johnson signed a one-year deal with Panathinaikos of the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague.[25] In his first career game with Panathinaikos, Johnson scored 7 points in 19 minutes of playing time against AEK Athens.[26]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota| 79 || 63 || 26.2 || .397 || .356 || .696 || 3.0 || 1.9 || .7 || .7 || 9.0|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota| 65 || 64 || 22.6 || .398 || .314 || .706 || 2.7 || .9 || .5 || .7 || 6.0|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Phoenix| 50 || 21 || 19.1 || .407 || .323 || .771 || 2.5 || .7 || .4 || .4 || 8.0|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers| 79 || 62 || 28.4 || .425 || .369 || .792 || 4.4 || 1.6 || 1.1 || 1.0 || 9.1|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers| 76 || 59 || 29.5|| .414 || .351 || .804|| 4.2 || 1.6 || .8 || .6 || 9.9|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Clippers| 80 || 9 || 20.8 || .404 || .333 || .652 || 3.1 || .6 || 1.1 || .7 || 6.9|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Clippers| 68 || 3 || 11.9 || .365 || .246 || .647 || 2.7 || .3 || .4 || .4 || 2.7|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Clippers| 74 || 40 || 20.1 || .408 || .339 || .741 || 2.9 || .8 || 1.0 || .8 || 5.4|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans| 26 || 13 || 14.5 || .398 || .380 || .667 || 2.1 || .6 || .5 || .3 || 3.7|-| style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Washington| 12 || 0 || 13.1 || .250 || .231 || .700 || 1.5 || .6 || .2 || .4 || 2.8|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" | Career| 609 || 334 || 22.1 || .404 || .337 || .741 || 3.2 || 1.1 || .8 || .7 || 7.0

Playoffs

|- | style="text-align:left;"| 2016| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Clippers| 6 || 0 || 12.8 || .357 || .333 || 1.000 || 3.0 || .3 || .2 || .7 || 2.7|- | style="text-align:left;"| 2017| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Clippers| 3 || 0 || 3.6 || .000 || .000 || .500 || .7 || .0 || .3 || .0 || .3|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" | Career| 9 || 0 || 9.7 || .357 || .333 || .800 || 2.2 || .2 || .2 || .4 || 1.9

EuroLeague

Led the league

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20| style="text-align:left;"| Panathinaikos| style="background:#CFECEC;"|28* || 0 || 15.7 || .348 || .263 || .667 || 2.4 || .6 || .6 || .5 || 3.3 || 3.4|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2|Career| 28 || 0 || 15.7 || .348 || .263 || .667 || 2.4 || .6 || .6 || .5 || 3.3 || 3.4

College

|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2006–07| style="text-align:left;"| Iowa State| 31 || 30 || 31.7 || .445 || .294 || .753 || 7.9 || 1.1 || .8 || 1.1 || 12.3|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2007–08| style="text-align:left;"| Iowa State| 27 || 25 || 27.0 || .396 || .333 || .779 || 4.0 || 1.4 || .9 || .4 || 12.4|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2009–10| style="text-align:left;"| Syracuse| 35 || 35 || 35.0 || .502 || .415 || .772 || 8.5 || 2.2 || 1.7 || 1.8 || 16.5|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 93 || 90 || 31.6 || .454 || .349 || .768 || 7.0 || 1.6 || 1.1 || 1.2 || 13.9

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Clippers promote Shaun Fein, add Wesley Johnson and Cookie Belcher to their coaching staff. November 27, 2021. SBNation. 26 September 2021 .
  2. Web site: Dana O'Neil: Big East early season review – ESPN . . December 23, 2009 . March 22, 2010.
  3. Web site: Jay Bilas' Midseason All-American team – ESPN . . January 12, 2010 . March 22, 2010.
  4. Web site: Wesley Johnson – Iowa State University Athletics. www.CYCLONES.com . March 22, 2010.
  5. Web site: Daily Orange – MBB | Syracuse lands Iowa State transfer Johnson . Media.www.dailyorange.com . March 22, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090211025911/http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2008/05/08/Sports/Mbb-Syracuse.Lands.Iowa.State.Tranfer.Johnson-3385520.shtml . February 11, 2009 . dead .
  6. North Carolina vs. Syracuse - Recap - November 20, 2009 - College Basketball - SI.com . Sports Illustrated. March 22, 2010.
  7. Web site: Syracuse Orange vs. Florida Gators – Box Score – December 10, 2009 – ESPN . . December 10, 2009 . March 22, 2010.
  8. Web site: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey . Syracuse Orange vs. Seton Hall Pirates – Box Score – December 29, 2009 – ESPN . . December 29, 2009 . March 22, 2010.
  9. Web site: Waters . Mike . Syracuse's Wes Johnson wins Big East Player of the Year . syracuse.com . March 9, 2010 . March 22, 2010.
  10. Web site: O'Connell. Jim. Kentucky freshmen lead AP All-America team; Fredette, Lillard honorable mention. deseretnews.com. March 15, 2018. March 29, 2010.
  11. Web site: Wes Johnson makes AP All-American team . 9wsyr.com . March 29, 2010 . April 6, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110719063332/http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story/Wes-Johnson-makes-AP-All-American-team/3bmiBqS9R0ymLLOSYmIgvQ.cspx . July 19, 2011 . dead .
  12. Web site: Syracuse's Johnson to skip senior year. ESPN.com. March 15, 2018. August 13, 2010.
  13. Web site: Waters. Mike. Wes Johnson leaves his "home in Syracuse for the NBA (video). blog.syracuse.com. March 15, 2018. April 12, 2010.
  14. Web site: Pelinka Signs Two Potential NBA Lottery Picks; Falk Inks Monroe. May 13, 2010. May 11, 2010. Street & Smith. SportsBusiness Daily. Mullen, Liz.
  15. Web site: Suns Acquire Johnson and Pick, Trade Lopez and Warrick. NBA.com. July 27, 2012. July 29, 2012.
  16. News: Twins Marcus and Markieff Morris help Suns win third straight game. ESPN. March 1, 2013. February 18, 2023. Associated Press. Phoenix.
  17. Web site: Lakers Sign Wesley Johnson. NBA.com. July 15, 2013. July 27, 2014.
  18. Web site: Lakers Sign Wesley Johnson. NBA.com. July 28, 2014. July 28, 2014.
  19. News: CLIPPERS RE-SIGN JORDAN AND SIGN JOHNSON. July 9, 2015. NBA.com. July 13, 2015.
  20. Web site: Griffin leads Clippers past Kings 111–104 in opener. NBA.com. October 28, 2015. October 28, 2015.
  21. Web site: Press Release: Clippers Re-sign Free Agents Crawford, Johnson, Mbah A Moute And Rivers. NBA.com. July 8, 2016. July 8, 2016.
  22. Web site: Pelicans acquire Wesley Johnson. NBA.com. October 15, 2018. October 15, 2018.
  23. Web site: Wizards acquire Johnson from Pelicans. NBA.com. February 7, 2019. February 7, 2019.
  24. Web site: Wizards waive Wesley Johnson. April 5, 2019. NBA.com. April 5, 2019.
  25. Web site: Panathinaikos lands veteran forward Johnson. July 22, 2019. EuroLeague.net. July 22, 2019.
  26. Web site: Panathinaikos 89 - AEK Athens 65. EuroBasket. September 28, 2019. June 29, 2020.