Fresno State Athletics
Johnson Makes It to the NBA with the Miami Heat
1/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Stephen Trembley
strembley@csufresno.edu
www.GoBulldogs.com
MIAMI --- Former Fresno State men's basketball standout Tyler Johnson will be called up to Miami Heat on a 10-day contract and become the 30th Bulldog to make it to the NBA.
"I'm really proud of Tyler Johnson's focus and perseverance on achieving his lifelong goal of reaching the NBA," Fresno State head coach Rodney Terry said of his former player. "TJ's work ethic and attitude have given him the opportunity of a lifetime. He's one of my favorite kids I've ever coached."
Terry coached Johnson for the dynamic guard's final three seasons at Fresno State in which his development as a player was stark and largely the result of Johnson's relentless work ethic and the strong coaching he received on and off the court. Johnson's athleticism and basketball knowledge were both major factors in separating himself on his journey to the NBA.
As a senior, Johnson was a game-changer leading the Bulldogs to their first postseason appearance in seven years and reaching the final game of the CBI championship series.
Johnson steadily improved throughout his four-year Fresno State career - increasing his scoring average from 4.4 (freshman) to 9.3 (sophomore) to 12.1 (junior) and 15.9 as a senior. Johnson scored at least 20 points 13 times his career. He appeared in 127 career games (87 starts) and averaged 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.10 steals and 27.9 minutes while shooting 45.6 percent from the field, 37.4 percent from three-point range and 71.6 percent from the foul line.
Johnson finished his collegiate career ranked No. 16 on Fresno State's all-time scoring list (1,346 career points). In his last season, he was named to the All-Mountain West Second Team and shot 43.2 percent from three-point range, the sixth-highest single-season three-point field goal percentage in school history.
Johnson joins the defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat after shining in his time at their NBA Development League affiliate - the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He appeared in 13 games this season with the Skyforce, averaging 18.5 points. He also played for the Heat's Summer League team and delivered highlight reel plays - just like he did at Fresno State.
Johnson, who turned down opportunities this past summer to play professionally overseas in favor of completing his quest to play in the NBA, is expected to be with the Miami Heat for its game Tuesday at the Los Angeles Lakers.
Johnson joins former Fresno State teammate Greg Smith (Dallas Mavericks) as the second Bulldog currently on an active roster. Paul George (Indiana Pacers), another one of Johnson's former teammates, is expected to be out of the season as he continues to rehabilitate his serious leg injury suffered last summer with Team USA.
"Be Bold!" --- Mini-plans for the 2014-15 Fresno State men's basketball season are available starting at $36 through the Bulldog Ticket Office at the Save Mart Center, over the phone at 559-278-DOGS and online at www.GoBulldogs.com.
