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Will Johnson is a talented basketball and football player. In 2017, Johnson was a freshman guard on the Oregon Ducks basketball team, known for his shooting abilities and left-handedness. Johnson comes from a family with a rich history in college basketball and the Pac-12. His grandfather, Marques Johnson, is a UCLA Hall of Famer and former NBA All-Star, and his father, Kris Johnson, was part of UCLA's 1995 National Championship team. In football, Johnson is a star cornerback for the Michigan Wolverines and a top prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft. However, he has dealt with injuries throughout his collegiate career, including ahead of a game against the Oregon Ducks in 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Grant Johnson |
| Born | Pacific Palisades, California |
| Height | 6-foot-1 |
| Family | Father: Kris Johnson, Mother: Melanie Shornick, Grandfather: Marques Johnson |
| High School | Palisades High School |
| High School Honours | Most Outstanding Player in the Western League, First Team All-City, First Team All-League |
| College | University of Oregon |
| College Honours | Redshirt season |
| Major | Political Science |
| Position | Guard |
| Jersey Number | 54 |
| Season | 2020-21 |
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What You'll Learn
Will Johnson's career in basketball
Will Johnson, a 6-foot-1 guard from Pacific Palisades, California, joined the Oregon Ducks' basketball team in 2017 as a freshman. Johnson was a highly-touted recruit, boasting a rich family history in college basketball and the Pac-12. His father, Kris Johnson, played for UCLA in the mid-1990s and was a member of their 1995 National Championship team. Johnson's grandfather, Marques Johnson, is a UCLA Hall of Famer and a former NBA All-Star.
During his high school career, Johnson excelled 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. Johnson's high school performance caught the attention of the Oregon Ducks, who added him to their 2017-18 roster.
In his freshman season with the Ducks, Johnson was part of a deep roster loaded with perimeter shooters. While he saw limited opportunities initially, his outside shooting stroke and driving ability were noted as strengths. Johnson's left-handed shooting posed match-up problems for opponents, and he was expected to provide a spark off the bench.
Johnson continued to develop as a player during his time with the Oregon Ducks. By the 2020-21 season, he had progressed to the role of a redshirt junior. In this season, he made a notable contribution by grabbing a rebound in the team's NCAA 2nd Round win against Iowa. Johnson's career progressed from his initial freshman season, where he saw limited action, to becoming an important role player for the Ducks in subsequent seasons.
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Johnson's time at Palisades High School
Will Johnson was born and raised in Pacific Palisades, California, where he attended Palisades High School. Johnson starred for his high school team, showcasing his talent as a lefty sharpshooter. During his senior year, he was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Western League, earning first team all-city and first team all-league honors. Johnson's performance during his high school years caught the attention of the University of Oregon, leading to his recruitment for the Oregon Ducks' 2017-18 roster.
Standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall, Johnson comes from a family with a rich history in college basketball and the Pac-12. His grandfather, Marques Johnson, is a UCLA Hall of Famer and former NBA All-Star. Johnson's father, Kris Johnson, played for UCLA in the mid-1990s and was part of their 1995 National Championship team. Marques and Kris Johnson are the only father-son duo to win national titles at the same school.
In addition to his athletic abilities, Johnson also demonstrated academic prowess. He attended Juco Elite Camp and was a member of the Middlebrooks Academy club basketball team. Johnson's academic interests extended beyond the basketball court, as he pursued a major in political science during his time at the University of Oregon.
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Johnson's family history in basketball
The Johnson family has a rich history in basketball, with several notable players carrying the family name. Here is a look at some of the family's most accomplished athletes and their achievements in the sport.
Will Johnson
Will Johnson, born William Grant Johnson, is a member of the University of Oregon Ducks men's basketball team. In his freshman year, Johnson was named the most outstanding player in the Western League at Palisades High School. He also earned first-team all-city and first-team all-league honours as a senior. Johnson's father, Kris Johnson, was a member of UCLA's 1995 NCAA Championship team. Johnson's grandfather, Marques Johnson, is a UCLA Hall of Famer. Kris and Marques Johnson are the only father-son combination to win national titles at the same school.
Kevin Johnson
Kevin Maurice Johnson, born on March 4, 1966, is a former professional basketball player and politician. He served as the 55th mayor of Sacramento, California, from 2008 to 2016 and was the first African American to hold this position. Before entering politics, Johnson played as a point guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns. During his 12-year career, he was a three-time NBA All-Star and a four-time second-team All-NBA selection. He also held numerous records for the Phoenix Suns organisation.
Larry Johnson
Larry Demetric Johnson, born on March 14, 1969, is a former professional basketball player who spent his career as a power forward with the Charlotte Hornets and the New York Knicks in the NBA. Johnson is a two-time NBA All-Star and an NCAA champion. He holds the record for single-season and career field goal percentage. Johnson was also inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
John Johnson
John Howard Getty "J.J." Johnson, born on October 18, 1947, was an American professional basketball player. He played high school basketball at Messmer High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and helped lead his team to the Wisconsin state title in 1966. Johnson then played for the University of Iowa, setting records for points in a season and scoring performances. He was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 7th pick in the 1970 NBA draft.
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Johnson's performance in the 2020-21 season
Will Johnson, a guard for the Oregon Ducks men's basketball team, played during the 2020-21 season. The Ducks were led by head coach Dana Altman and played their home games at Matthew Knight Arena as members of the Pac-12 Conference. Johnson played in the NCAA 2nd Round win against Iowa, grabbing a rebound in the Ducks' victory. The Ducks advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, where they lost to USC, finishing the season with a record of 24-7.
During the regular season, the Ducks compiled a record of 21-7, including a 14-4 mark in Pac-12 play, which secured them the regular-season Pac-12 championship. In the Pac-12 tournament, they defeated Arizona State in the quarterfinals before falling to Oregon State in the semifinals. The Ducks received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, advancing to the Second Round due to a positive COVID-19 test from VCU.
Johnson's rebound against Iowa contributed to the Ducks' success in the NCAA tournament. The Ducks' season ended in the Sweet Sixteen, with a loss to USC, capping off a strong season for the team and Johnson individually. Johnson's performance in the 2020-21 season helped the Ducks achieve a successful campaign and establish themselves as a formidable team in the Pac-12 Conference.
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Johnson's potential injury during the Michigan Wolverines game
Will Johnson, a star cornerback for the Michigan Wolverines, was officially declared out for the game against the Oregon Ducks due to an injury. Johnson, considered one of the top prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft, had his status up in the air for several weeks leading up to the game. Unfortunately, he was unable to play, marking his third consecutive absence from a Big Ten Conference game.
Tez Johnson, a wide receiver for the No. 1 Oregon Ducks, also faced injury concerns. Johnson posted a concerning injury update to his Instagram page, leaving fans worried about his condition. The exact nature of his injury was not disclosed, but it was serious enough to keep him off the field for an extended period. There were speculations about a possible low-grade AC joint tear, which typically requires a 4-6 week recovery period.
While the team awaited his recovery, Johnson's absence was felt, particularly as he was Oregon's leading receiver with 649 yards and eight touchdowns. However, there was optimism that he would return to the field before the end of the season, making a potential impact during the playoffs.
The Oregon Ducks faced a challenging period with several key injuries to monitor, including those of Tez Johnson, Jordan Burch, and Marcus Harper II. Despite these setbacks, the Ducks maintained their position as the No. 1 team in the nation for six consecutive weeks, showcasing their resilience and depth in the face of adversity.
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Frequently asked questions
A: 54.
A: Guard.
A: 6-foot-1.
A: Will Johnson was born and raised in Pacific Palisades, California, where he starred for his high school team. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Western League in high school and was also named first team all-league and all-city during his senior season in 2016. Johnson has a rich family 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. His grandfather, Marques Johnson, is a UCLA Hall of Famer and former NBA All-Star.
A: Political Science.
