San Antonio Spurs' Alize Johnson, left, and Jakob Poeltl celebrate the win after their NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 112-111. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

FRISCO, Texas — Alize Johnson has two triple-doubles in his 11 games with Wisconsin of the G-League, but his latest — a 19-point, 19-rebound, 10-assist performance in a 123-122 win at Texas last Friday — means the most since it came in a victory.

“I’m just in the moment, always ready,” the St. John Neumann graduate said. “Anytime coach wants me to be in different situations, to be a creator with the team, I’m always going to be ready and go out there and try to seize the moment.”

In his nine games with the Herd, which acquired him in a trade with Austin on Jan. 28, Johnson is averaging 16.9 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Johnson also had a 22-point, 16-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in a February 3 loss to the Windy City Bulls.

“Absolutely (love it here). We’ve got a lot of great players, a lot of people who have been around, know the game and how to play the right way. I’ve been enjoying it,” he said.

Despite only being with Wisconsin for a short time, he’s already made a strong impression on Herd coach Chaisson Allen.

“He’s been in the league and he’s able to do a few things well on the floor. When you’re able to play that well, you’re able to lead by example and use your voice,” Allen said. “He’s been here a little under a month now. Since we’ve had him, he’s used his voice in the right ways, really competed, and has really carried this group the last month here.”

Wisconsin is the fourth different G-League team the Williamsport native has suited up for, joining the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Raptors 905 and the Austin Spurs. Some players at this stage in their pro career might complain about still playing for an NBA affiliate, but not Johnson.

Instead, he remains incredibly grateful for the opportunities he’s received throughout his career in the G-League.

“It’s been nice. Just being able to be at the highest level whether it’s the NBA or G-League, which I would say are two of the top leagues in the world with great players [is great],” he said. “Being out there with it coming to the wire is what the game’s all about. I just love it.”

He’s also always mindful of what it means for him to be from Williamsport and how important it is to put a good foot forward every time he hits the hardwood to properly rep his hometown.

“Williamsport is a small city, so anytime I get a chance to rep it, I’m always going by the (area) code 570 letting the world know that we got talent there and good players,” Johnson said. “I try to be the face and role model of where I’m coming from.”

At 26, Johnson is a seasoned pro who has done good things in the G-League, but he’s also played 76 games in the NBA for the Pacers, Nets, Bulls, Wizards, Pelicans and Spurs. His most recent stint in the NBA came earlier this season when he appeared in four games for San Antonio.

Like many G-Leaguers who have gotten a taste of the good life in the NBA, he wants to return and this time stick for good, but for now he’s content to enjoy being a member of the Herd.

“I had a lot of good experiences there, met a lot of people, built some relationships. Still talk to those people,” he said. “I want to get back to the NBA, but I try not to think about that. Look at what’s in front of me right now and that’s the Wisconsin Herd.”

That easy-going, happy-to-be-here attitude has worked well for Johnson, who continues to be ever mindful of all the great opportunities basketball has afforded him over the years. Whether it was getting a shot at college ball at small junior college Frank Phillips in the West Texas town of Borger, his two years at Missouri State, his time in the NBA or G-League, Johnson loves where the game has taken him and for the doors it continues to open in his life, and he never hesitates to pass on what he’s learned to his younger teammates.

“Very blessed. After junior college and Missouri State, I’ve been very blessed to be in this position. I want to continue to keep building on it and try to just continue to provide for my family,” Johnson said. “(I’m a) lead-by-example guy. I try to show these younger dudes that it’s the small things that help you get where you got to go, especially if you’re coming through the G-League. The way I play is just effort. Everything out there is all effort. I’ve got some skill, but you’ve got to have the will to go out there and fight. I love to compete. I love to win.”