The Brisbane Bullets have signed swingman Orlando Johnson, who played three seasons in the NBA as their first import for the 2020-21 season.
Johnson was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the 2012 NBA Draft with the 36thselection. He was traded to the Indiana Pacers for cash on the same day.
He went on to play for 103 games for the Pacers (2012-14), Sacramento Kings (2014), Phoenix Suns (2016) and New Orleans Pelicans (2016).
His best game in the NBA was a 14 point, 3 rebound, 3 assist effort where he went five-from-five from the floor. He played 22 minutes in the 114-82 victory over Detroit where he matched up against Jose Calderon and Khris Middleton.
The 31-year-old Johnson spent last season with Avtodor Saratov in Russia’s VTB League and averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists playing alongside former NBL import Markel Starks.
Although never playing in the NBL Johnson’s basketball journey has seen him cross paths with many of the leagues current and former stars.
Johnson played his college ball originally at Loyola-Marymount, where he came in to replace Perth Wildcats legend Damian Martin who had graduated the season prior. He would then transfer to the University of California Santa-Barbara and averaged 20 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists during his last two years of college.
He was a teammate of former Sydney Kings star Sam Young whilst a rookie with the Pacers and then with current Adelaide 36ers import Donald Sloan during his second season.
He has played alongside former Perth Wildcats import James Ennis at New Orleans and then former Melbourne United Star Jordan McRae at Sacramento.
At 196cm he can play both shooting guard and small forward positions has consistently shown an ability to reach up points in a bunch, a talent for both getting to the charity stripe and knocking down free throws and is adept at getting into passing lanes and create opposition turnovers.
Johnson has also played professionally in Spain, the Philippines, Russia, China, Lebanon, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Taiwan and in the NBA G-League.
“Whenever you start the process of recruiting an import, the challenge is to find a player with a skill set that will complement and add value to the roster already signed, as well as being a quality person who will fit in with the team ethos we value at the Bullets” Brisbane Bullets coach Andrej Lemanis said.
“He has shown that he is a versatile player who is prepared to help teams succeed at both ends of the court. He has a great basketball IQ and a toughness that will add value to our team. We all look forward to getting Orlando to Brisbane and integrating him into the team as we prepare for the start of the season.”
He is also a proven winner having led Al Riyadi Beirut to a Lebanese Basketball League championship in 2017 and was a part of the Bosnian League championship-winning Igokea team in 2018.
Johnson is equally excited to play down under, noting the NBL is a fast, exciting league and one he thinks he can be a big-time player in.
“I’m really excited. They (Brisbane) said we need a guy who will be able to shoulder a heavy load and be one of the main guys…I told them how ready I was and how much I’ve been working. I told them I was looking to be a focal point and a guy who can lead a team and that’s what they’re looking for. I think this is going be the start of something really special.” Orlando Johnson said.
Orlando will come in to replace former NBL First Team Selection Lamar Patterson who signed with the New Zealand Breakers during the offseason.
Johnson is the ninth player signing by the Bullets who have room for one extra import or Australian player. He joins Harry Froling, Matt Hodgson, Will Magnay, Anthony Drmic, Jason Cadee, Nathan Sobey, Tyrell Harrison, Tanner Krebs, Tamuri Wigness and Callum Dalton in the current squad.