Ayrton Oneill
Will Johnson is a basketball player for the Oregon Ducks. He was born and raised in Pacific Palisades, California, where he played for his high school team. Johnson was awarded the Most Outstanding Player of the Western League in high school and was named first team all-league and all-city during his senior season in 2016. He is the son of Kris Johnson, who played for a dominant UCLA team in the mid-1990s, and the grandson of UCLA Hall of Famer and former NBA All-Star, Marques Johnson. Johnson himself played for John Wooden's final national championship team in 1974-75.
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What You'll Learn
Will Johnson's high school career
Will Johnson, a 6-foot-1 guard from Pacific Palisades, California, had a stellar high school basketball career at Palisades High School. During his senior year in 2016, Johnson was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Western League, showcasing his talent and contribution to his team's success. He also earned first-team all-city and first-team all-league honors, further cementing his reputation as one of the top high school players in the region.
Johnson's success in high school basketball continued a rich family legacy in the sport. His father, Kris Johnson, played for a dominant UCLA team in the mid-1990s and was part of the 1995 National Championship team. Johnson's grandfather, Marques Johnson, is a UCLA Hall of Famer and a former NBA All-Star. With such a strong basketball pedigree, it is no surprise that Johnson excelled during his high school years.
Prior to joining the Oregon Ducks for his college career, Johnson starred for his high school team at Palisades High School in Pacific Palisades. He was born and raised in the area, making a name for himself on the local basketball scene. Johnson's talent and hard work earned him recognition not only within his high school league but also across the city and beyond.
In addition to his impressive athletic abilities, Johnson also excelled academically. He was an honor roll student and participated in various community service activities, demonstrating a well-rounded character and a commitment to both his education and community. Johnson's high school career laid the foundation for his future success in college basketball and beyond.
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Johnson's family history in basketball
The Johnson family has a rich history in basketball, with several members making their mark in the sport. One notable family is that of Gil Johnson, whose sons Cameron "Cam" Johnson and Donovan "Puff" Johnson have both pursued successful basketball careers. Cam Johnson, the older brother, plays for the Phoenix Suns as a wing and was an NBA Sixth Man of the Year finalist. He played college basketball for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, showcasing his talent and reaching the National Championship game. Cam's younger brother, Puff Johnson, followed in his footsteps, playing for the North Carolina Tar Heels as a sophomore forward. Puff's impressive skills led him to become the only alumnus of Gilbert Hillcrest Prep to play in the Final Four when UNC faced Duke in 2022.
The Johnson family holds regular "debriefings" after their games, discussing performances and strategies. This tradition highlights the family's passion for basketball and their commitment to improving their skills. Cam Johnson, in particular, has expressed his gratitude for his family's basketball legacy, acknowledging the support and guidance he receives from his parents and siblings.
Another prominent Johnson in basketball is Kevin Maurice Johnson, a former professional player who transitioned into politics. Kevin played as a point guard for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for most of his 12-year career. He excelled as a three-time NBA All-Star and a four-time second-team All-NBA selection, leaving a lasting legacy with the Suns. Kevin also made history as the first African American mayor of Sacramento, California, serving from 2008 to 2016.
While attending the University of California, Berkeley, Kevin Johnson demonstrated his outstanding skills as a two-time All-Pac-10 Conference player and received honorable mentions as an All-American by the Associated Press. His impact extended beyond the basketball court, as he played a crucial role in the transformation of Sacramento High School (Sac High) into an independent charter school, improving educational opportunities for students in his community.
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Johnson's time as a freshman at Oregon
Will Johnson, a 6-foot-1 guard from Pacific Palisades, California, joined the Oregon Ducks during the 2017-18 season as a freshman. Johnson came from a family with a rich history in college basketball and the Pac-12. His father, Kris Johnson, played for a dominant UCLA team in the mid-1990s and was part of the 1995 National Championship team. Johnson's grandfather, Marques Johnson, is a UCLA Hall of Famer and former NBA All-Star.
During his freshman season, Johnson was awarded a redshirt season. Before joining the Ducks, Johnson had an impressive high school career at Palisades High School, where he was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Western League during his senior year in 2016. He also earned first-team all-city and first-team all-league honors as a senior. Johnson showcased his talent as a member of the Middlebrooks Academy club basketball team and attended the Juco Elite Camp.
As a freshman at Oregon, Johnson was expected to provide a spark off the bench. With a deep roster of 10 players, the Ducks could afford to give players rest and maintain maximum energy levels. Johnson's shooting ability from the outside and his driving skills stood out, drawing comparisons to Casey Benson. However, he may have faced limited opportunities at the beginning of the season due to the abundance of talented players on the roster.
In his subsequent years at Oregon, Johnson continued to develop and contribute to the team. In his redshirt sophomore season in 2019-20, he was injured during the preseason and did not see any game time. Johnson returned to action in his redshirt junior season in 2020-21, grabbing a rebound in Oregon's NCAA 2nd Round victory over Iowa.
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Johnson's performance in the 2018-19 season
Will Johnson, a guard for the University of Oregon Ducks, had a redshirt freshman season in 2018-19. He saw action in nine games that season, making his regular-season debut against Portland State. Johnson's first career rebound came in the Pac-12 title game against Washington, and he scored his first four career points against Portland on December 19. In addition to those points, he also had a rebound, an assist, and a steal in that game. Johnson played his first game in 21 months on December 9 against Florida A&M, where he grabbed another rebound.
Johnson attended Palisades High School in Pacific Palisades, California, where he was named the most outstanding player in the Western League during his senior year in 2016. He also earned first-team all-city and first-team all-league honors that year.
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Johnson's career statistics
Will Johnson, a native of Pacific Palisades, California, has an impressive basketball pedigree. The 6-foot-1 guard is the son of former UCLA player Kris Johnson and the grandson of UCLA Hall of Famer and NBA All-Star Marques Johnson. Johnson was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school, where he was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Western League and earned first-team all-league and all-city honours as a senior.
Johnson's college career at the University of Oregon was off to a promising start. In his freshman season (2017-18), he was projected to provide a spark off the bench for the Ducks. However, he did not see any game action that year, opting to redshirt and preserve a year of eligibility.
In his second year at Oregon (2018-19), Johnson made his collegiate debut. He appeared in nine games during this redshirt freshman season, grabbing his first career rebound in the Pac-12 title game against Washington. Johnson scored his first four career points the following season (2019-20) on December 19 against Portland, a game in which he also contributed a rebound, an assist, and a steal. Unfortunately, Johnson's season was cut short due to a preseason injury.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Johnson is 6 feet and 1 inch tall and weighs 180 pounds.
Will Johnson plays as a guard.
Will Johnson is from Pacific Palisades, California.
Will Johnson attended Palisades High School.
