Amir Johnson

Amir Johnson

Amir Johnson during his tenure with the Pistons
No. 15 – Toronto Raptors
Power Forward
Personal information
Born	(1987-05-01) May 1, 1987 (age 25) Los Angeles, California
Nationality	American
High school	Westchester (Los Angeles)
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
College	None
NBA Draft	2005 / Round: 2 / Pick: 56th overall
Selected by the Detroit Pistons
Pro career	2005–present
Career history
Detroit Pistons (2005–2009) Fayetteville Patriots (D-League) (2006) Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League) (2006–07) Toronto Raptors (2009-present)

Amir Jalla Johnson (born May 1, 1987 in Los Angeles, California) is an American professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the NBA. He plays the position of power forward.

NBA career

Johnson was selected by the Pistons with the 56th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft. He is listed at 6'9" (2.06 m) and 210 lb (95 kg) ^[1] Known for his athleticism, he was drafted straight out of Westchester High School in Los Angeles, deciding to skip a collegiate career. He had committed to play at the University of Louisville. He is the last high school player to be selected in the NBA Draft, as the NBA instituted a rule prior to the 2006 Draft that requires American players to be at least one year removed from the graduation of their high school class to be eligible. Then-Pistons head coach Larry Brown commented that he thought Johnson will become a special player someday.^[2]

Johnson spent the 2005–06 NBA season on the Pistons' roster, but appeared in only three games. He scored his first NBA basket on a windmill dunk against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 24, 2006. On February 27, 2006, the Pistons assigned him to the Fayetteville Patriots of the NBA Development League. Johnson was recalled by the Pistons and on April 17, 2006 scored 18 points against the Milwaukee Bucks, making all six of his field goal attempts, both 3-point attempts, and all four of his free throw attempts.

Johnson spent most of the 2006–07 season playing for the D-League's Sioux Falls Skyforce, where he earned Player of the Week honors and notice for his play.^[3][4] In 22 games for the Skyforce, Johnson averaged 18.9 points per game, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game, while shooting 62.3% from the field.

Johnson was recalled by the Pistons on two occasions during the 2006–07 season, including prior to the final week of the regular season. Altogether, he appeared in eight games for the Pistons, averaging 5.9 points per game, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, while shooting 54.5%. On April 19, 2007, Johnson scored a career-high 20 points, grabbed 12 rebounds (6 of them offensive), and recorded four blocks and three steals in 37 minutes against the Boston Celtics.

On July 12, 2007, Johnson signed a 3-year, $11 million extension to remain with the Pistons.^[5]

On June 23, 2009, Johnson was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks as a part of a three-team trade between Bucks, Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs, which included Richard Jefferson.^[6]

On August 18, 2009, Johnson was traded to the Toronto Raptors along with Sonny Weems in exchange for Carlos Delfino and Roko Ukić.^[7]

On July 1, 2010, Johnson signed a 5 year, $34 million contract with the Toronto Raptors, on the first day of free agency.^[8]

NBA career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Notes

External links

• Amir Johnson's Official Website
• Amir Johnson at NBA.com
• Amir Johnson at Basketball-Reference.com
• Amir Johnson NBDL statistics
• Amir Johnson on Twitter