Justin Johnson (basketball)
Justin Blake Johnson is an American professional basketball player for Rinascita Basket Rimini of the Italian Serie A2. He played college basketball for Western Kentucky.
Early life
Johnson grew up in Inez, Kentucky with his brother Braxton Johnson and initially attended Sheldon Clark High School in Inez. He transferred to Perry County Central High School after his sophomore year to follow Sheldon Clark's head coach, Kevin Spurlock. As a senior, Johnson averaged 21.9 points and 17.6 rebounds per game and was named to the first team All-State by the Associated Press and the Lexington Herald-Leader.College career
Johnson played four seasons for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. He was a key reserve for the team as a true freshman, averaging 4.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He became a starter for WKU as a sophomore, leading the team with 14.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in 34 games played. He led the team again in points per game with 14.5 and led Conference USA in rebounding with 9.4 per game and in double-doubles with 14 and was named second team All-Conference USA.After the season, Johnson left the basketball program to join the school's football team as a tight end. He ultimately left the football team during summer training camp to return to basketball for his senior season. In his senior season, Johnson again led the Hilltoppers with 15.7 points per game and also repeated as the conference leader with 9.4 rebounds per game and was named first team All-Conference USA.