Australian basketball player
Daniel Geoffrey Craig Johnson (born 3 April 1988) is an Australian professional basketball player who last played for the Forestville Eagles of the NBL1 Central . He debuted in the National Basketball League (NBL) in 2008 with the Melbourne Tigers . After two seasons, he joined the Adelaide 36ers where he played the next 13 seasons. With the 36ers, he is a seven-time All-NBL Team member, including three All-NBL First Team recognitions. Johnson is also a long-time Australian state league player and has had many stints overseas.
Early life and junior career
Johnson was born in Carnarvon , Western Australia ,[ 1] and grew up in Perth , where he attended Willetton Senior High School .[ 2] In 2006 and 2007, he attended the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and played for the program's SEABL team .[ 3] In 2006, he helped the AIS win the King Club International Cup en route to being voted the tournament's Most Valuable Player after averaging 22 points, six rebounds, one assist, two blocks and a steal over five games. He was also a member of the Australian national under-19 team that competed in Germany, Taiwan and Italy in 2006.[ 4] The following year, he played for the Emus at the 2007 FIBA Under-19 World Championship in Serbia.[ 1]
Johnson moved to the United States to play college basketball for Pepperdine University in the 2007–08 NCAA season .[ 4] Holding the Waves ' starting centre position for most of the season,[ 5] Johnson averaged 9.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in 21 games.[ 6] He decided to leave the team and return home after the departure of his coach and several teammates.[ 7]
Professional career
NBL
Melbourne Tigers (2008–2010)
Johnson returned to Australia in 2008 and played two seasons with the Melbourne Tigers in the NBL .[ 8] In his rookie season, the Tigers made it to the grand final series, where they lost in five games to the South Dragons .
Adelaide 36ers (2010–2023)
Johnson played his first season with the Adelaide 36ers in 2010–11 .[ 8] In his second season with Adelaide, Johnson earned his first player of the week award[ 9] and won the NBL Most Improved Player while also earning All-NBL Third Team honours.[ 10] [ 11] In his third season with Adelaide, he led the league in rebounding (8.1 per game)[ 12] and earned All-NBL Second Team honours.
In the 2013–14 season , Johnson helped the 36ers reach the NBL Grand Final series while earning All-NBL First Team honors.[ 13] [ 14] He was also named the 36ers Club MVP for the third straight year.[ 15]
Johnson started the 2014–15 season in Poland with Stelmet Zielona Góra ,[ 16] [ 17] but returned to the Adelaide 36ers in January 2015.[ 18] [ 19] [ 20] [ 21]
In the 2015–16 season , Johnson's 9.3 rebounds per game saw him lead the NBL in rebounding for the second time while once again earning All-NBL Second Team honours. In the 2016–17 season , Johnson helped the 36ers win the minor premiership while earning All-NBL First Team honours. In the 2017–18 season , Johnson helped the 36ers reach the NBL Grand Final series while earning All-NBL First Team honours. In the 2018–19 season , Johnson served as captain of the 36ers for the first time.[ 22] He went on to win the Club MVP and earn All-NBL Second Team honours.[ 23]
Johnson (with the ball) with the 36ers in November 2019
In October 2019, Johnson played his 250th game for the 36ers as well as his 300th in the NBL.[ 24] He scored an NBL career-high 38 points in a loss to the Cairns Taipans on 18 January 2020.[ 25] He went on to win the Club MVP for the fifth time.[ 26]
In May 2020, Johnson's contract with the 36ers was extended until the end of the 2022–23 season.[ 27] He was named co-captain for the 2020–21 season .[ 28] He played his 300th game for the 36ers and 350th NBL game during the season.[ 29] [ 30] He averaged a career-high 19.5 points per game in 2020–21 to lead the 36ers in scoring for the sixth time.[ 31] He was subsequently named Club MVP alongside Josh Giddey .[ 32] He was named Club MVP for the seventh time in 2021–22.[ 33]
In December 2022, Johnson played his 400th NBL game.[ 34] He parted ways with the 36ers following the 2022–23 season .[ 35]
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix (2023)
On 9 November 2023, Johnson signed with the South East Melbourne Phoenix as an injury replacement for Gorjok Gak .[ 36] [ 37] He left the Phoenix in early December after three games following Gak's return.[ 38]
Off-season and overseas stints
Johnson is a long-time Australian state league player, having played for the Melbourne Tigers (Big V – 2008 and 2009);[ 39] Willetton Tigers (SBL – 2010);[ 40] South Adelaide Panthers (Premier League / NBL1 Central – 2011 and 2023),[ 41] West Adelaide Bearcats (Premier League – 2013 and 2014);[ 42] [ 43] Sturt Sabres (Premier League – 2016);[ 43] and Forestville Eagles (Premier League / NBL1 Central – 2018, 2022 and 2024).[ 43] [ 44] [ 45]
Additionally, Johnson has had a number of off-season stints overseas, with his first stint abroad coming following the 2013–14 NBL season when he played in Puerto Rico for Piratas de Quebradillas .[ 46] [ 47] He went on to play in New Zealand for the Wellington Saints in 2015,[ 48] before returning to Puerto Rico in 2016 to play for Santeros de Aguada .[ 49] In 2017, he played for Petrochimi Bandar Imam in Iran;[ 50] in 2018, he played for Ferro Carril Oeste in Argentina;[ 51] and in 2019, he played for Earth Friends Tokyo Z in Japan. He returned to Japan in March 2020 for a one-game stint with SeaHorses Mikawa .[ 52]
On 8 December 2023, Johnson signed with Taiwan Beer Leopards of the T1 League for the rest of the 2023–24 season .[ 53] He parted ways with the team on 15 March 2024.[ 54]
National team career
In 2019, Johnson made his debut for the Australian Boomers playing in the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers .[ 55]
In 2022, Johnson helped the Australian men's 3x3 team win gold again at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup in Singapore.[ 56] He represented Australia in 3x3 at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in England,[ 57] where the team won silver.[ 58] He won silver again at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup and earned all-tournament team honours.[ 59] [ 60] He competed for Australia at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup .[ 61]
Accolades
On 13 January 2025, the Adelaide 36ers retired Johnson's No. 21 jersey at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre .[ 62] [ 63] [ 64]
References
^ a b "Daniel Johnson" . fiba.com . Retrieved 11 October 2019 .
^ Ellison, Liam (29 November 2018). "DANIEL JOHNSON'S RISE FROM WILLETTON TO THE BOOMERS" . australia.basketball . Retrieved 11 October 2019 .
^ "Past Athletes" . ausport.gov.au . Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
^ a b "Johnson Signs LOI to Play Basketball at Pepperdine" . pepperdinesports.com . 14 March 2007. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2019 .
^ "NBL Player Spotlight – Daniel Johnson" . tbldaily.com . 3 November 2011. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016.
^ "Daniel Johnson" . sports-reference.com . Retrieved 11 October 2019 .
^ Petrie, Andrea (21 November 2009). "Tall-timber Johnson hitting the high notes for Tigers" . The Age . Retrieved 4 September 2023 .
^ a b "Player statistics for Daniel Johnson – NBL" . SportsTG.com . Retrieved 11 October 2019 .
^ Nagy, Boti (2 November 2011). "Daniel Johnson ends Sixer's award drought" . The Advertiser . Archived from the original on 27 June 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013 .
^ "ANBL Awards - Breakers Overlooked Again" . sportstg.com . 28 March 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2019 .
^ "ADELAIDE THE TEAM FOR JOHNSON" . adelaide36ers.com . 29 March 2012. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013.
^ "All Time Leaders" . NBL.com.au . Archived from the original on 23 September 2017.
^ "Rotnei Clarke takes out the 2013/14 MVP Award" . NBL.com.au . 2 April 2014. Archived from the original on 4 April 2014.
^ "GF Report: Perth thrash 36ers, claim sixth title" . NBL.com.au . 13 April 2014. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014.
^ "2013/14 Club Award Winners" . adelaide36ers.com . 29 April 2014. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014.
^ "Stelmet Zielona Gora reaches Down Under for big man Johnson" . euroleague.net . 24 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014 .
^ "Stelmet Zielona Gora signs Daniel Johnson for two years" . Sportando.com . 24 July 2014. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014.
^ "Daniel Johnson and Stelmet Zielona Gora part ways" . Sportando.com . 18 January 2015. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015.
^ Johnson Back In 36ers Blue
^ Daniel Johnson returns to Adelaide
^ Johnson signs three-year deal with the 36ers
^ "Daniel Johnson named captain of the Adelaide 36ers" . Adelaide36ers.com . 4 October 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018 .
^ "Johnson crowned Adelaide 36ers Most Valuable Player" . Adelaide36ers.com . Retrieved 11 October 2019 .
^ "DJ reaches 250 for 36ers, now 300 in NBL" . Adelaide36ers.com . Retrieved 27 October 2019 .
^ Warren, Adrian (19 January 2020). "Queensland teams charge towards NBL finals" . The West Australian . Retrieved 4 February 2020 .
^ "Johnson awarded fifth 36ers MVP" . Adelaide36ers.com . 22 February 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2020 .
^ "Daniel Johnson Signs Contract Extension" . Adelaide36ers.com . 6 May 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020 .
^ "Leadership Group Announced" . Adelaide36ers.com . 13 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021 .
^ "United stay top with ninth straight win" . NBL.com.au . 24 April 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021 . ...who had superstar Daniel Johnson playing his 300th game for the club...
^ Hersz, Tom (30 April 2021). "Daniel Johnson reflects ahead of 350th game" . NBL.com.au . Retrieved 30 April 2021 .
^ "Ending the season with a career best 19.5ppg, Daniel Johnson has led Adelaide in scoring for the 6th time" . twitter.com/nblfacts . 6 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021 .
^ "Congratulations to both Daniel Johnson & Josh Giddey who share this years Mark Davis MVP Award" . twitter.com/Adelaide36ers . 11 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021 .
^ Irwin, Madeline (23 May 2022). "NBL22 Season Review: Adelaide 36ers" . theinnersanctum.com.au . Retrieved 22 August 2023 .
^ "DJ rewind: Johnson hits 400 games" . Adelaide36ers.com . 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022 .
^ "36ers to honour modern-day club legend" . NBL.com.au . 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023 .
^ "Phoenix Sign Daniel 'DJ' Johnson as Nominated Replacement Player" . semphoenix.com.au . 9 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023 .
^ "Olg's Notebook: Is the NBL being over-officiated? Daniel Johnson on the move" . ESPN.com.au . 9 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023 .
^ "Johnson departs Phoenix" . NBL.com.au . 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023 .
^ "Player statistics for Daniel Johnson – Big V" . SportsTG.com . Retrieved 11 October 2019 .
^ "Tigers Cougars take Blitz title - WA State Basketball League" . GameDay . 1 March 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2024 .
^ "Reigning NBL1 champions poach Adelaide 36ers veteran" . The Advertiser . 18 March 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023 .
^ "South Australian Basketball Shines Bright at Halls" . SportsTG.com . Retrieved 11 October 2019 .
^ a b c "Player statistics for Daniel Johnson – Premier League" . SportsTG.com . Retrieved 11 October 2019 .
^ "Daniel Johnson" . nbl1.com.au . Retrieved 10 July 2022 .
^ "Daniel Johnson" . nbl1.com.au . Retrieved 23 March 2024 .
^ "Piratas de Quebradillas sign Daniel Johnson" . 7 April 2014. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014.
^ "DJ Strawberry signs with Piratas de Quebradillas" . 27 June 2014. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015.
^ Player statistics for Daniel Johnson – NZNBL
^ SANTEROS FIRMAN A DANIEL JOHNSON... (in Spanish)
^ Petrochimi tabs Daniel Johnson, ex 36ers
^ Ferrocarril lands Daniel Johnson, ex Forestville E.
^ "Daniel Johnson" . australiabasket.com . Retrieved 10 July 2022 .
^ "白邊還沒來 台啤雲豹先宣布簽下前澳洲國家隊中鋒" . ETtoday (in Chinese). 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023 .
^ "【 TBL公告 】" . Facebook . 台啤永豐雲豹職業籃球隊 Taiwan Beer Leopards. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024 .
^ "Daniel Johnson" . fiba.basketball . Retrieved 11 October 2019 .
^ "Australian men win FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2022!" . 3x3hustle.com . 11 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022 .
^ "Commonwealth Games Squads Announced" . NBL.com.au . 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022 .
^ Shalala, Amanda (3 August 2022). "England defeat Australia 17-16 in men's 3x3 basketball while wheelchair teams bring home gold and silver" . abc.net.au . Retrieved 4 October 2022 .
^ "New Zealand teams finish among the medals at 3x3 Fiba Asia Cup" . stuff.co.nz . 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023 .
^ "Our Gold & Silver Gangurrus" . australia.basketball . 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023 .
^ "DJ Stars, Aussie Women Shine" . NBL.com.au . 3 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023 .
^ "DJ's No.21 jersey to be retired in NBL24" . Adelaide36ers.com . 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023 .
^ "Johnson's No.21 jersey to be retired" . Adelaide36ers.com . 19 November 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2024 .
^ "Johnson grateful for jersey retirement" . NBL.com.au . 13 January 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2025 .
External links