Damian Johnson (basketball)

Damian Johnson
Born	(1987-03-09) March 9, 1987 Thibodaux, Louisiana, U.S.
Occupation	Professional basketball player (retired)
Years active	2006–2017
Known for	Playing college basketball at Minnesota; professional career in Japan, NBA Development League, and Australia; three consecutive SEABL championships; two-time SEABL Defensive Player of the Year

Damian Johnson (born March 9, 1987) is a retired American professional basketball athlete. He spent four seasons playing college basketball at Minnesota before launching his pro career in Japan and the NBA Development League. In 2014, he relocated to Australia where he thrived in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL), capturing three consecutive league titles and securing the Defensive Player of the Year award in both 2015 and 2016.

High school career

Johnson attended Thibodaux High School located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, where he earned All-state honors and was named the All-Bayou Region Player of the Year during his senior season. Additionally, he was acknowledged as the top defensive player in his conference for three straight years.

College career

After redshirting his initial year at Minnesota, Johnson began competing for the team in the 2006–07 season. Although his freshman year featured limited minutes, he emerged as a significant contributor by his sophomore year, averaging 7.1 points across 22.6 minutes per contest. During his junior campaign (2008–09), he averaged 9.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game over a span of 30 appearances. In his senior year (2009–10), he maintained comparable statistics with averages of 9.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.9 blocks across 35 games.

Throughout his tenure at Minnesota, spanning 127 games, Johnson ranked second all-time in steals with 195 and placed third in blocks with 191. His total of 64 steals during his final season tied for fifth-best single-season performance in program history. He also achieved notable block counts—60 blocks as a junior (ninth all-time) and 67 as a senior (seventh all-time). The team qualified for postseason play during each of his last three years on the roster. Johnson concluded his collegiate career averaging 7.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and both 1.5 blocks and steals per game while playing an average of 21.6 minutes.

Professional career

After not being selected in the 2010 NBA draft, Johnson participated in the 2010 NBA Summer League representing both the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves. In August of that year, he signed with the Oita Heat Devils to compete in the 2010–11 bj league season, posting averages of 15.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks over a total of 47 games.

In November 2011, Johnson joined the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, but was released in December and subsequently acquired by the Springfield Armor.

Johnson inked a deal with the Mount Gambier Pioneers ahead of the 2014 SEABL season and renewed his contract for the following year. He played a pivotal role in securing consecutive championships for the Pioneers while earning Defensive Player of the Year accolades twice. Across two seasons and 55 games, he averaged 15.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per outing.

On November 12, 2015, Johnson signed with the Bendigo Braves for the upcoming 2016 SEABL campaign. He contributed significantly to Bendigo’s championship victory—marking his third straight SEABL title—and once again received Defensive Player of the Year honors consecutively. Over a span of 24 games, he posted averages of 15.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and an impressive 2.8 blocks per game.

Following this third consecutive SEABL championship triumph, Johnson decided to retire from professional basketball competition.

External links

• Profile on Australiabasket.com
• Profile at ESPN.com
• SEABL statistical records