Ivan Johnson

Ivan Johnson - As described here, Johnson is a journeyman. Racking up the air miles, Johnson returned to the D-League after a two year absence and is putting up the best numbers of his career there. Playing for the Erie BayHawks and their tiny frontcourt, Johnson is averaging 17.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 32 minutes per game, shooting 50% from the field and 74% from the line. Johnson also plays good aggressive perimeter defense, and is significantly improved in that regard. The production is not flawed; Johnson turns it over 3 times a game, does not have three point range (despite being a face-up jumpshooting power forward), and is neither an interior defender nor a small forward at the NBA level. But size, athleticism and production make for an intriguing combination.

15th: - Erie BayHawks - Ivan Johnson, Cal St. San Bernadino

Ivan Johnson is well travelled. He played for L.A. Southwest Junior College in 2004-05, then spent a year with Oregon (averaging 7.5 points and 3.2 rebounds), then spent a final year at Division 2 Cal State St. Bernadino (averaging 16 points and 5 rebounds, and making it to the national semi-finals.) Johnson then began his first professional season with the now-defunct Anaheim Arsenal (13.3ppg, 6.6rpg), moving to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (15.8/7.0), before spending the last two seasons in Korea. For KCC Egis in 2009-10, playing alongside Ha Seung-Jin, Johnson averaged 17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists, shooting 58% from two point range and 28% from three point range. Additionally, in his previous season, playing with the LG Sakers, Johnson had a beard so epic that it spawned fake tribute beards, the owners of whom's head he would then sign:



Shouldn't think he'd get so much adulation in Erie, but we'll see.

As is customary for American imports in Korea, Johnson is an athlete. He can also make mid-range jumpshots and defend. But if he keeps the beard, that'll be the first thing you notice.