A.J. Johnson: stats, last game & news

When A.J. Johnson stepped onto the court at Capital One Arena for his first start against the Trail Blazers in March 2025, few could imagine the journey this 20-year-old point guard had made since the courts of Fresno.

Akeem Jamaal Johnson grew up in the nurturing shadow of Jalen Green, whom he considers like an older brother, but it was the COVID-19 pandemic that radically transformed his trajectory. In just a few months, the young man grew from 6'2" to 6'5", a spectacular growth spurt that revealed his basketball potential. This physical transformation coincided with a meteoric rise in high school rankings, propelling Johnson among the top 10-15 national prospects in his 2023 class.

His academic journey reflects a personality driven by a pursuit of excellence: after Taft High School, he joined Kanye West's controversial Donda Academy, then finished at Southern California Academy following the school's closure. Initially committed to the University of Texas, Johnson surprised everyone in 2023 by choosing a less conventional path: Australia and the Illawarra Hawks through the Next Stars program, following the trail blazed by LaMelo Ball.

That boldness paid off. The second American in Hawks history to join the team straight out of high school, Johnson impressed enough to be selected 23rd by Milwaukee in the 2024 NBA Draft. A few months later, a trade brought him to Washington, where he seized his opportunity. His first start resulted in a promising stat line: 8 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block.

Represented by influential agent Bill Duffy, Johnson now embodies the future of the Wizards, armed with a determination forged by an unconventional path and a growth spurt as sudden as it was inspiring.