Diamond Johnson
Diamond Johnson is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. She played college basketball for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, NC State Wolfpack and Norfolk State Spartans.
Early life
Johnson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to James Johnson and Dana Brooks, and was named after Diamond Street next to her family's neighborhood in North Philadelphia. At age 11, Johnson moved to Hampton, Virginia because her mother wanted her to live in a safer environment. Shortly after moving, she started playing organized basketball after attending tryouts for the Boo Williams Summer League, mistakenly thinking they were for a recreational league, and received an invitation to the league's Black Widows program. Johnson was coached by Black Widows director Reggie Williams for three years until starting high school.High school career
Johnson began her high school career at Phoebus High School in Hampton. As a freshman, she averaged 29.6 points, 4.5 steals, 4.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game, and was named Daily Press Player of the Year. Johnson was averaging 33.1 points per game for Phoebus as a sophomore before transferring to Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School in Philadelphia during the season. She made the decision in part to be closer to her bedridden father. Johnson was ruled eligible prior to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class 3A state tournament and led Neumann-Goretti to its fourth straight state title.As a junior, she scored a career-high 54 points in an 88–79 win over Imhotep Institute Charter High School at the Class 3A city championship. Johnson finished the season with averages of 28.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and four steals per game, and was named Philadelphia Catholic League Most Valuable Player and Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year. As a senior, Johnson averaged 29.9 points, six rebounds and five steals per game, repeating as Catholic League MVP and Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year. Despite her success in high school, Johnson was excluded from the 2020 McDonald's All-American Game, a decision that was widely criticized in her hometown. She was named to the Jordan Brand Classic. Johnson was personally invited by Allen Iverson to play in the Roundball Classic, becoming the first woman to be selected to a men's high school All-America game. However, both games were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.