Dr Dave Adkins and why he should be in the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame
February 14, 2021
Darryl Johnson
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 26/10/65
- Place of Birth: Flint, Michigan (USA)
- Position: PG
- Height (CM): 198
- Weight (KG): 77
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Michigan State (1983-1987)
- NBL DEBUT: 13/05/94
- AGE AT DEBUT: 28
- LAST NBL GAME: 23/09/94
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 28
- NBL History: Townsville 1994
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Darryl Johnson grew up playing at Jackson Park on the north side of Flint, Michigan.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Darryl Johnson made his NBL debut with the Townsville Suns at 28 years of age. He scored 24 points in his first game.
Townsville embarked on their sophomore NBL campaign hoping to build upon the lessons of their challenging debut season. Coach Mark Bragg undertook a roster overhaul, releasing import Rimas Kurtinaitis and parting ways with Tonny Jensen and Paul Simpson (both to Newcastle). In their place arrived Simon O’Donnell (via Newcastle), Cameron Dickinson (via state league), and American forward Jeff Warren, joining core returnees Ricky Jones and captain Graham Kubank.
The season began with optimism as the Suns defeated Hobart 96–79 in their opener. Ricky Jones (32 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 4 assists) was a force on both ends of the floor, while debutant Jeff Warren (20 points and 7 rebounds) contributed effectively inside. Hobart’s top scorer was Lamont Middleton (22 points).
Warren’s stint with the team was brief, lasting only five games. His replacement, Howard Chambers, played one match and delivered 19 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds in a 115–105 loss to Newcastle. Chambers was quickly succeeded by former NBA guard Darryl Johnson (25 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.8 steals), who brought scoring punch and stability to the Suns’ backcourt over the remaining 20 games.
Ricky Jones (27.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks) remained the offensive anchor for Townsville, establishing himself as one of the league’s top frontcourt players. Cameron Dickinson (12.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) became a reliable secondary scorer, while captain Graham Kubank (9.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists) and Simon O’Donnell (7.8 points and 8.2 rebounds) were other key contributors.
A standout showing occurred in Townsville’s 114–90 home win over Canberra, where Darryl Johnson (40 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals) erupted offensively, shooting 14-of-21 from the field and a perfect 8-of-8 at the line. Jones added 36 points and 8 rebounds. Jason Reese paced the Cannons with 23 points.
Another offensive showcase came against Geelong, where Johnson (31 points) and Jones (39 points) combined for 70 points, but the Suns were outgunned in a 140–111 loss. Vince Hinchen led Geelong with 35 points.
The team’s most memorable win came in Round 25 with a thrilling 108–107 upset over the South East Melbourne Magic. Jones (34 points), Johnson (23 points and 10 assists), and Dickinson (23 points) delivered clutch performances to edge a Magic lineup featuring Adonis Jordan and Andrew Parkinson (23 points apiece).
In their final game, Townsville were overwhelmed 141–105 by Brisbane, highlighted by Shane Heal’s iconic 61-point performance (12-of-19 from beyond the arc). Jones (32 points) and Johnson (29 points and 5 assists) battled to keep pace, but Heal received support from Leroy Loggins (19 points) and Andre Moore (18 points) to seal the blowout.
Darryl Johnson (25 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.8 steals) proved to be a key mid-season acquisition for Townsville, significantly lifting their offensive output and giving the team a proven shot-creator and floor general. His arrival helped the Suns remain competitive in multiple matchups and provided leadership across the closing stages of the season.
Townsville concluded the year with a 6–20 record, an improvement from their inaugural campaign, and avoided the wooden spoon which instead was claimed by Hobart.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 28 | Townsville | 6-20 (14) | 20 | 928.0 | 499 | 81 | 103 | 24 | 57 | 56 | 6 | 89 | 71 | 197 | 392 | 50% | 39 | 131 | 30% | 66 | 85 | 78% | 58% | 55% | 40 | Totals | 20 | 928 | 499 | 81 | 103 | 24 | 57 | 56 | 6 | 89 | 71 | 197 | 392 | 50.3% | 39 | 131 | 29.8% | 66 | 85 | 77.6% | 58% | 55% | 40 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 28 | Townsville | 6-20 (14) | 20 | 46.4 | 25.0 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 4.5 | 3.6 | 9.9 | 19.6 | 50% | 2.0 | 6.6 | 30% | 3.3 | 4.3 | 78% | 58% | 55% | 40 | Total | 20 | 46.4 | 25.0 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 4.5 | 3.6 | 9.9 | 19.6 | 50.3% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 29.8% | 2.0 | 6.6 | 77.6% | 58% | 55% | 40 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 40 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Darryl Johnson was drafted by the Golden State Warriors with pick #58 in the 1987 NBA Draft.
Johnson spent several seasons playing in the CBA before and after his short stint in the NBA. He also time with Indiana Pacers (1990 training camp) and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Johnson played 11 games in the NBA. He averaged 1.1 points, 0.2 rebounds, and 0.1 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- June 22, 1987: Drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the 3rd round (58th pick) of the 1987 NBA Draft.
-
March 5, 1996: Signed the first of two 10-day contracts with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
-
August 22, 1996: Released by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 98% | 97% | 100% | 71% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 40 | 10 | 7 | 2 | ||||||
| Total | 197 | 392 | 50.3% | 39 | 131 | 29.8% |
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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995-96 | 30 | Cleveland | PG | 11 | 0 | 28 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 47% | 42% | Total | 11 | 0 | 28 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 42% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 2 | 2 | 100% |
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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995-96 | 30 | Cleveland | PG | 11 | 0 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 42% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 47% | 42% | Total | 11 | 0 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 42% | 0.1 | 0% | 0.2 | 0.2 | 100% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Philippines - Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs (1991) | Canada - 1993 | Italy - Napoli Basket (1996–1997) | Spain - Valvi Girona (1997–1998) | Argentina - Instituto de Córdoba (1998–1999), Atlético San Isidro (1999–2001) | Chile - Unión Deportiva Española Temuco (2002–2003)
Name: Johnson, Darryl | college: Michigan State (1983-1987)| Additional Info: Darryl Johnson enjoyed a successful four-year run (1983–87) at Michigan State University, developing from a rotation freshman into the primary scoring guard of the 1986–87 Spartans and finishing with 1,383 career points across 107 games (64 starts).
As a freshman in 1983–84, Johnson averaged 6.0 points and 1.2 assists per game while the Spartans finished 15–13 (8–10 in the Big Ten Conference) under Jud Heathcote, with assistant coach Tom Izzo beginning his first season on the bench as an official assistant. Johnson followed that with 5.3 points per game as a sophomore in 1984–85, when Michigan State went 19–10 (10–8) and returned to the NCAA Division I mens basketball tournament for the first time since 1979.
Johnson’s junior season in 1985–86 was his breakout year, as he started all 29 games he played, averaged 16.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, and helped Michigan State post a 23–8 record (12–6) while reaching the NCAA Tournament as a No. 5 seed, beating Washington and Georgetown before falling to Kansas in the regional semifinal.
As a senior in 1986–87, Johnson carried the scoring load at 22.1 points per game (247 field goals, 13 made threes, and 111 free throws), added 4.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game, and produced a standout .910 free-throw percentage (111-of-122) for the season, while the team finished 11–17 (6–12). During that final year, he scored his 1,000th career point in his 90th game, hitting the milestone against Purdue on January 3, 1987.
Across his four Michigan State seasons, Johnson’s statistical line (1,383 points, 289 assists, 258 rebounds, .536 field-goal percentage and .830 at the foul line) reflected both his late-career scoring surge and his steady guard production, and he earned All-Big Ten recognition in 1986–87 while playing his home games at Jenison Field House.
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