×

Neumann grad Johnson signs multiyear deal with Nets

Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant (7) checks in for Alize Johnson (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 7, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets signed St. John Neumann graduate Alize Johnson to a multiyear contract Sunday after the forward’s solid play during his two 10-day contracts.

Johnson has appeared in six games, averaging 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in about 13 minutes per game and shooting 65.7% from the field.

He signed his first 10-day deal on March 22 and two nights later had team highs of 23 points and 15 rebounds off the bench in a loss at Utah.

Johnson played for the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League this season before joining the Nets, averaging 16.6 points and 13.3 rebounds in 15 games.

“Just try to go out there and have a chip on my shoulder, go out there and play and I want to do whatever it takes to come right in and have a huge impact,” Johnson told BrooklynNets.com. “And it’s been nice to get an opportunity. I appreciate the organization and Steve for giving me that.”

Johnson’s second 10-day contract with the Nets was set to expire Sunday. Players cannot sign more than two 10-day contracts with a single NBA team during one season.

According to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, “Johnson had his choice of a bit more guaranteed money elsewhere, but wanted to stay the course with Nets.”

Johnson was signed by the Nets following an NBA G-League season in which he averaged 16.6 points, 13.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. His rebounding average was the second-best in the league. He was also second in the league in total efficiancy, playing for Raptors 905.

In just 80 minutes with the Nets over six games played, Johnson has scored as many points (47) as he had in his two years with the Indiana Pacers. Johnson was a second-round pick of the Pacers, 50th overall, in the 2018 draft.

He played in 31 games over two seasons with the Pacers and signed as a free agent this offseason with the Raptors, where he did not appear in a game.

In an April 5 win over the New York Knicks, Johnson was a spark off the bench for Brooklyn, scoring 12 points and grabbing seven rebounds in 17 minutes of game action.

“We’re pretty comfortable in what we have with Alize,” Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash told BrooklynNets.com prior to Wednesday’s game against New Orleans. “He’s been outstanding, works hard, plays with incredible energy, he’s a great teammate. So he’s been really productive in the minutes he’s gotten so we feel confident in him as a player. He’s a great kid. We love having him in our clubhouse. We love when he gets a chance to play and think he’s a player that can help us.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today