If basketball is all you can think about, then DerMarr Slim Johnson must be a name you often refer to. Born on May 5, 1980, Johnson is an American basketball player who has successfully played seven seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He attended the University of Cincinnati, where he met the future NBA players Kenyon Martin, Kenny Satterfield, and draftee Steve Logan. Later, Johnson was selected in the 2000 NBA Draft and played two sessions. He averaged 6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game during those two sessions. Unfortunately, at the peak of his career, Johnson met with a road accident, as his car crashed into a tree and caught fire. The sudden and fierce blow cracked four vertebrae in his neck. The injury made people question his career. Everyone was sceptical about his return on the basketball court. However, he returned to the league in October 2003 when he signed an agreement with the Phoenix Suns. But, he was waived from the team after two weeks and did not get a chance to play in that season.
After being removed from the Phoenix Suns, Johnson joined American Basketball Association’s Long Beach Jam. He played 19 matches for them and later rejoined the NBA by signing a contract with the New York Knicks. He had maintained a spectacular performance during his rejuvenated career. Later, he was hired as a student assistant coach for the men’s basketball team at the University of Cincinnati.
Timeline
- 2017: The University of Cincinnati hired Johnson as a student assistant coach for the men’s basketball team so he could complete his degree. The hiring was done on January 25, 2017.
- 2015: Johnson started playing for the Team City of Gods in The Basketball Tournament. He made it to the semifinals playing as a forward.
- 2008: Johnson signed with Pallacanestro Treviso but soon switched to Austin Toros in the NBA Development League. He averaged 15.8 points and six rebounds in ten games. On January 7, 2008, he was released from San Antonio Spurs and re-signed in April. Later, he played for Hekmeh (2010), Bukaros (2011), Barako Bull Energy in the Philippines, and teams in Argentina and Venezuela.
- 2002: Johnson was named National High School Player of the Year in 1999 and selected sixth overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2000 NBA Draft. He played two seasons averaging 6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. In September 2002, he suffered a near-paralyzing car accident, missing the 2002-03 season. He later signed with the Phoenix Suns, joined Long Beach Jam, and re-entered the NBA in 2004-05, playing 71 games. He averaged 7.1 points on 49.9% shooting, and in the next two seasons maintained 5 points on 40% shooting across nearly 100 games.
- 1980: DerMarr Slim Johnson was born in Washington, D.C.
Career Highlights:
- In 2008, Johnson scored an all-time high of 43 points.
- In 2008, he also reached a career-high six steals, and earned 19 points, four rebounds, and two assists in a match.
- In 2007, he grabbed 13 rebounds against Texas Legends.
- He delivered a career-high seven assists in 2007 against Bologna.
Likewise, he had given an outstanding performance in his basketball career. Moreover, he gained popularity among basketball lovers. We all can learn a lot from him and his love for the game.
Personal Information
- Born: May 5, 1980 (age 41), Washington, D.C.
- Nationality: American
- Listed height: 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
- Listed weight: 201 lb (91 kg)
Career Information
- High school: Maine Central Institute (Pittsfield, Maine)
- College: Cincinnati (1999–2000)
- NBA Draft: 2000 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6th overall (Selected by Atlanta Hawks)
- Playing career: 2000–2016
- Position: Shooting guard / Small forward
- Number: 1, 4, 3, 8