Kody Stattmann
July 31, 2022
BJ Johnson
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 21/12/95
- Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA)
- Position: G/F
- Height (CM): 201
- Weight (KG): 91
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Syracuse (2013–2015) La Salle (2016–2018)
- NBL DEBUT: 17/01/21
- AGE AT DEBUT: 25
- LAST NBL GAME: 8/06/21
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 25
- NBL History: Brisbane 2021
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: BJ Johnson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA) and and attended Lower Merion High School. There, he had 22 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Chester High School in the 2013 state championship.
FAMILY: Johnson is the son of Robert Johnson, who played basketball at La Salle University from 1986 to 1990
NBL EXPERIENCE
BJ Johnson made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 25 years of age. He scored one point in his first NBL game.
Brisbane continued to struggle to build a solid foundation and culture in their fourth year since re-entering the league. The Bullets released Cam Gliddon (to South East Melbourne), Lamar Patterson (New Zealand) and Will Magnay (NBA), who signed a deal to play with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Entering the Bullets camp were rookie Tanner Krebs (St Mary’s – NCAA), Anthony Drmic and Harry Froling (both via Adelaide), as well as import signings Vic Law and Orlando Johnson.
The Bullets had put together a high-scoring side onto the floor, with Law (18.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks) shooting the ball at 47% from the field and team captain Nathan Sobey (21.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists) shooting the ball at 46 FG%, and both finishing among the top five scorers in the league. A solid local frontcourt of Matthew Hodgson (10.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks), Harry Froling (8.0 points, 4.9 rebounds) and Tyrell Harrison (5.2 points, 5.8 rebounds) made sure the Bullets outrebounded most team’s, finishing third in offensive rebounding and second in defensive rebounds across the league.
Brisbane showcased what they ‘could be’ in a win over Illawarra (97-91) where Law (29 points and 9 rebounds) and Sobey (18 points and seven assists) piled on the points while Froling and Hodgson notched up 13 rebounds combined.
Memorable games for the team included a win against top-of-the-table Melbourne (96-88). Law (10 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists) delivered his best rebounding effort to date, and Hodgson (24 points in 27 minutes) had a season-high scoring night as well and a win over Perth (95-92), where Law (23 points and 5 rebounds) and Sobey (31 points and 4 assists) would combine for 54 points, more than half the team’s score.
The high-scoring offence and strong rebounding still saw Brisbane (8-8) struggling to win half of their games. Orlando Johnson (6.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) was released mid-March after posting average numbers across 15 games, a move which coincided with New Zealand releasing Lamar Patterson after a niggling knee injury and sluggish start to the season.
Patterson (14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.5 steals) returned to Brisbane, overcame the knee injury and set the stage for the Bullets to return to the playoffs, but a knee injury to Law in the very next game would rule him out for the rest of the season.
Brisbane (10-8) had been floating in and out of the top four, and while Sobey would attempt to fill the void created by Law’s injury, the Bullets would lose five of their next seven games, giving up a average of 90 points while putting up 80 of their own. This led to the mid-season signing of BJ Johnson (10.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists) who they hoped would help stem the bleeding, which it somewhat did, resulting in a 8-10 run to end the Bullets season.
Brisbane’s worst performance came against South East Melbourne (95-66) in round 19. With Sobey injured, Brisbane struggled to score at all, only putting up 66 for their season low. Anthony Drmic (20 points) and Patterson (11 points) were the only players putting up more than six points.
Despite flashes of brilliance, Brisbane stumbled to a sixth-place finish at the end of the season (18-18) and failed to reach the playoffs.
BJ Johnson played one season in the NBL. He averaged 10 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 11 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 25 | Brisbane | 18-18 (6) | 11 | 236.7 | 110 | 41 | 10 | 10 | 31 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 27 | 40 | 88 | 45% | 5 | 24 | 21% | 25 | 28 | 89% | 54% | 48% | 17 | Totals | 11 | 237 | 110 | 41 | 10 | 10 | 31 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 27 | 40 | 88 | 45.5% | 5 | 24 | 20.8% | 25 | 28 | 89.3% | 55% | 48% | 17 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 25 | Brisbane | 18-18 (6) | 11 | 21.5 | 10.0 | 3.7 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.6 | 8.0 | 45% | 0.5 | 2.2 | 21% | 2.3 | 2.5 | 89% | 54% | 48% | 17 | Total | 11 | 21.5 | 10.0 | 3.7 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.6 | 8.0 | 45.5% | 0.0 | 20.8% | 0.5 | 2.2 | 89.3% | 55% | 48% | 17 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 17 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Johnson signed with the Orlando Magic. He was waived by the Magic on October 10 but would play for their G League affiliate the Lakeland Magic.
On March 1, 2019, Johnson signed a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks. Johnson made his NBA debut two days later, putting up 11 points on perfect 4-of-4 shooting (3-of-3 three-point shooting), 2 rebounds, and a steal during 19 minutes of action in a 123–118 win over the Chicago Bulls. On March 12, Johnson signed a second 10-day contract. After the expiration of his second 10-day contract, Johnson returned to the Lakeland Magic.
On April 2, 2019, Johnson signed a rest-of-season contract with the Sacramento Kings. On July 19, 2019, Johnson was waived by the Kings.
In September 2019, Johnson re-signed with the Orlando Magic for training camp, but was waived on October 19. In November, the Magic signed him to a two-way contract. He averaged 22.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game for Lakeland. Johnson was named to the All-NBA G League Second Team.
In December 2020, Johnson signed with the Miami Heat but was waived only weeks later and then joined the Long Island Nets in the G-League. In 14 games, he averaged 18.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 31.1 minutes per game as well as shooting 41.1% from the field and 84.3% from the free throw line.
After half a season in Australia, Johnson signed with the Orlando Magic, only to be sent down to their affiliate team, the Lakeland Magic. There he 10 games and averaged 24.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 34.5 minutes per game.
On December 17, 2021, Johnson was signed to a 10-day contract by the Orlando Magic, where appeared in four games and averaged 6.5 points in 16 minutes per game, the best numbers of his NBA career.
He was not offered a spot on the teams full roster after his 10-day contract and returned to the Lakeland Magic for the remainder of the season.
Johnson played 21 games in the NBA. He averaged 3.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.1 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- September 5, 2018: Signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Orlando Magic.
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October 10, 2018: Waived by the Orlando Magic.
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March 1, 2019: Signed a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks.
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March 11, 2019: Signed a 2nd 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks.
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April 1, 2019: Signed a contract for the rest of the season with the Sacramento Kings
April 2, 2019: Assigned to the Lakeland Magic of the G-League.
-
April 3, 2019: Recalled from the Lakeland Magic of the G-League.
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July 19, 2019: Waived by the Sacramento Kings.
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September 27, 2019: Signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Orlando Magic.
-
October 19, 2019: Waived by the Orlando Magic.
-
November 4, 2019: Signed a two-way contract with the Orlando Magic
December 4, 2020: Signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Miami Heat.
-
December 19, 2020: Waived by the Miami Heat.
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October 15, 2021: Signed a contract with the Orlando Magic.
-
October 16, 2021: Waived by the Orlando Magic.
-
December 17, 2021: Signed a 10-day contract with the Orlando Magic.
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| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 67% | 53% | 61% | 80% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||||||
| Total | 40 | 88 | 45.5% | 5 | 24 | 20.8% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 26 | Orlando | SF | 4 | 0 | 65 | 26 | 15 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 25 | 44% | 4 | 10 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 52% | 52% |
| 2019-20 | 26 | Orlando | SF | 10 | 0 | 83 | 30 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 32 | 28% | 3 | 9 | 33% | 9 | 10 | 90% | 41% | 33% |
| 2018-19 | 26 | Atlanta | SF | 6 | 0 | 43 | 21 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 50% | 3 | 6 | 50% | 2 | 2 | 100% | 62% | 59% |
| 2018-19 | 26 | Sacramento | SF | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 50% | 50% | Total | 21 | 0 | 197 | 79 | 38 | 3 | 11 | 27 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 11 | 29 | 75 | 39% | 10 | 26 | 38% | 11 | 12 | 92% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 26 | Orlando | SF | 4 | 0 | 16.3 | 6.5 | 3.8 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 6.3 | 44% | 1.0 | 2.5 | 40% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 52% | 52% |
| 2019-20 | 26 | Orlando | SF | 10 | 0 | 8.3 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 28% | 0.3 | 0.9 | 33% | 0.9 | 1.0 | 90% | 41% | 33% |
| 2018-19 | 26 | Atlanta | SF | 6 | 0 | 7.2 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 50% | 0.5 | 1.0 | 50% | 0.3 | 0.3 | 100% | 62% | 59% |
| 2018-19 | 26 | Sacramento | SF | 1 | 0 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 50% | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 50% | 50% | Total | 21 | 0 | 9.4 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 3.6 | 39% | 0.5 | 1.2 | 38% | 0.5 | 0.6 | 92% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Spain - Real Betis (2022–2023) | Russia - Parma (2023–2024), Lokomotiv Kuban (2024–2025)
Johnson joined Real Betis for the 2022–23 Liga ACB season in Spain, playing his first season in Spain, and he averaged 11.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 9.6 valuation across 39 games after signing with the club in April 2022.
Spain - Real Betis (2022–2023) and Johnson helped Real Betis avoid relegation from Liga ACB in 2022–23.
Johnson joined Parma for the 2023–24 VTB United League season in Russia, and he averaged 18.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.7 steals across 38 games after signing in August 2023.
Russia - Parma (2023-2024) and Johnson finished fourth in the VTB United League in scoring at 18.5 points per game and fourth in steals at 1.7 per game in 2023–24.
Johnson joined Lokomotiv Kuban for the 2024–25 VTB United League season in Russia, and he signed with the club in June 2024 after his season with Parma.
COLLEGE
B.J. Johnson began his NCAA career at Syracuse, arriving from Lower Merion High School and appearing as a freshman in the 2013–14 season in 10 games, where he averaged 1.4 points in 5.5 minutes per contest while getting his first exposure to high-major rotation minutes in the ACC.
He took on a larger role as a sophomore in 2014–15, playing 25 games with four starts and averaging 4.1 points and 3.1 rebounds, and he opened that season with a Syracuse career-high 19 points and nine rebounds against Kennesaw State while also logging notable starts and extended minutes in the frontcourt as the year progressed.
Following the 2014–15 season, Johnson elected to transfer, leaving Syracuse in March 2015 and later explaining that La Salle coach John Giannini pitched him on becoming an impact player after sitting out the required transfer season, which set up his return to Philadelphia and a fresh start in the Atlantic 10.
After sitting out 2015–16, Johnson debuted for La Salle in 2016–17 and immediately became the Explorers’ go-to scorer and rebounder, starting 28 of 29 games, leading the team in both categories at 17.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, and earning First Team All-Philadelphia Big 5 recognition while also collecting Second Team NABC All-District honours and two Atlantic 10 Player of the Week awards as his breakout year took off.
That 2016–17 season featured several defining performances, headlined by a career-high 35 points in the 84–80 win over Florida Gulf Coast on December 17 where he went 10-for-16 from the field and 12-for-14 at the line, and he also produced a triple-overtime grinder at Mercer by playing a career-high 52 minutes and finishing with 23 points and 11 rebounds as La Salle survived in extras.
Johnson tested the NBA waters after his 2016–17 surge by declaring for the 2017 NBA Draft before ultimately withdrawing and returning to La Salle, where he elevated again as a senior in 2017–18 by averaging 20.8 points and 8.3 rebounds, earning All-Atlantic 10 Second Team honours, adding Atlantic 10 All-Academic recognition, and securing another All-Philadelphia Big 5 First Team selection while producing one of the most prolific scoring seasons by an Explorer since Rasual Butler in 2002.
By the time his college career closed, Johnson had built a clear two-phase NCAA story: a developmental start at Syracuse, then a high-volume, award-winning rise at La Salle that included conference and city honours, multiple 20-point performances, and signature big-game moments that defined both his junior breakout and senior peak seasons.
Related
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