Wake Forest Athletics
James Johnson Declares For NBA Draft
4/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 9, 2009
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest sophomore forward James Johnson has announced that he will declare for the 2009 NBA Draft. Johnson will hire an agent and forego his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility.
Johnson played in 61 games during his two-year Demon Deacon career, making a total of 59 starts. A two-time third team All-ACC pick, Johnson averaged 14.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game for his career. He leaves Wake Forest with 903 career points and 508 career rebounds.
This past season, Johnson led the Deacons and ranked third in the ACC with 8.5 rebounds per game. He also ranked among the conference leaders in defensive rebounds (6.0, 2nd), field goal percentage (.542, 4th), double-doubles (10, 4th), blocks (1.5, 6th) and scoring (15.0, 17th).
Johnson was the runner-up for the 2008 ACC Rookie of the Year Award after leading the Deacons in both scoring and rebounding in 2007-08.
Johnson becomes the third player in program history to leave school early for the NBA. Rodney Rogers left after his junior season in 1993, and Chris Paul left after his sophomore campaign in 2005.
The 2009 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 25.
