Brice Johnson

Brice Johnson
Name	Brice Johnson
Position	Power forward / Center
Weight lb	245
Team	Free agent
Birth date	5 August 1994
Birth place	Riverside, California
Nationality	American
High school	Cajon High School (San Bernardino, California)
College	North Carolina
Draft year	2016
Draft pick	25
Draft team	Los Angeles Clippers
Career start	2016
Years1	2016–2017
Team1	Los Angeles Clippers
Years2	2016–2017
Team2	Raptors 905
Years3	2017–2018
Team3	Maine Red Claws
Years4	2018–2019
Team4	Miami Heat
Years5	2018–2019
Team5	Sioux Falls Skyforce
Years6	2019–2020
Team6	Lavrio B.C.
Years7	2020–2021
Team7	Gießen 46ers
Years8	2021–2022
Team8	Kalev/Cramo
Years9	2022–2023
Team9	Juventus Utena

Brice Johnson (born August 5, 1994) is an American professional basketball player who played collegiate basketball at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was selected 25th overall in the 2016 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. Known for his rebounding and inside scoring, he spent time with multiple NBA and NBA G League affiliates as well as clubs in Greece, Germany, Estonia, and Lithuania. Johnson earned national recognition during his junior season at North Carolina for his statistical production and tournament performances.

Early life and high school

Johnson was born in Riverside, California and raised in San Bernardino, attending Cajon High School where he played for the varsity basketball team and emerged as a four-star recruit. During his high school career he competed against prospects who would attend Duke University, University of Kentucky, University of Kansas, and UCLA. Johnson participated in regional showcases and Amateur Athletic Union tournaments, drawing interest from programs like University of Arizona, University of Oregon, UCLA, and USC. He committed to the North Carolina Tar Heels to play for coach Roy Williams.

College career

At North Carolina, Johnson developed under head coach Roy Williams and alongside teammates who became NBA players, including Marcus Paige, Kennedy Meeks, J.P. Tokoto, and Marcus Paige. As a freshman he saw limited minutes before increasing his role as a sophomore, ultimately breaking out in his junior year (2015–16) when he led the Atlantic Coast Conference in rebounding and ranked among national leaders in double-doubles. Johnson earned selections to all-conference teams and received consideration for awards tied to interior play, joining the conversation alongside players from Villanova University, Syracuse University, and University of Virginia. He produced notable performances in the ACC tournament and the NCAA Tournament, including games that drew comparisons to past North Carolina big men like Antawn Jamison and Jawad Williams.

Professional career

Johnson was selected 25th overall in the 2016 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers and signed a rookie contract, later spending time on assignment with the Raptors 905 of the G League. He made spot appearances in the NBA with the Clippers before being waived and joining the Maine Red Claws, an affiliate of the Boston Celtics. Johnson signed a two-way deal and short-term contracts with the Miami Heat and was assigned to the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Overseas he played for Lavrio B.C. in the Greek Basket League, for Gießen 46ers in the BBL of Germany, and for Kalev/Cramo in competitions including the VTB United League and Estonian domestic leagues. Later stints included Juventus Utena in the Lithuanian Basketball League where he continued to showcase rebounding and interior scoring. His professional path mirrors that of many first-round picks who transition between NBA roles, G League assignments, and international contracts in leagues such as those in Greece, Germany, Estonia, and Lithuania.

National team and international play

Johnson's professional career included international club competition and participation in leagues that face teams from multiple countries, exposing him to opponents from Spain, Italy, Turkey, France, and Russia in preseason and cup play. While he has not been a mainstay on senior United States men's national basketball team rosters, his club play in the Greek Basket League and Basketball Bundesliga put him against players who compete for national teams at events like the FIBA Basketball World Cup and Summer Olympics. Johnson's overseas tenure required adaptation to FIBA rules and international officiating commonly encountered in tournaments such as the EuroCup and regional leagues.

Player profile and playing style

Primarily a power forward who can play center, Johnson is noted for rebounding, put-back scoring, post play, and offensive efficiency around the rim. Scouts compared aspects of his game to interior-oriented players who emphasized positioning and finishing against teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten Conference, and Southeastern Conference. His skill set includes offensive rebounding, interior footwork, short-range face-up ability, and pick-and-roll finishing; defensively he has worked on lateral quickness, rim protection, and team defensive rotations. Johnson's professional usage has varied between high-usage frontcourt roles on international clubs and bench rotational minutes in the NBA and G League.

Personal life

Johnson has ties to California communities of Riverside, California and San Bernardino, California and remained connected to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni network and former coaches, including Roy Williams. Off the court he has engaged with basketball development programs and summer camps that feature collegiate coaches and former NBA players. Johnson's career path has taken him to multiple countries and cities, linking him to sports markets such as Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, Athens, Frankfurt, Tallinn, and Vilnius.

Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:American basketball players Category:North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball players