Miami Heat forward James Johnson: Then, now and what’s to come

Then

James Johnson became only the third player in Wake Forest Men’s Basketball history to leave early for the NBA Draft. In 2009, after his sophomore year, he decided that it was his time. The two-time third-team All-ACC honoree, freshman All-American and ACC Rookie of the Year runner-up accumulated quite the resume at Wake Forest.

While it’s unnecessary to add more to the skills section of his resume, he’s stuffed it full. Johnson is the son of a seven-time world kickboxing champion and former Marine father, and a five-time nationals winner in kickboxing mother. His eight siblings are all black belts, while he is a second-degree black belt.

With his undefeated seven MMA matches and 21-0 kickboxing record, Johnson is not someone you want to pick a fight with on the court.

Selected by the Chicago Bulls, No. 16 overall in the 2009 NBA Draft, Johnson played in 65 games making 11 starts as a rookie.

As a sophomore in the league, his numbers increased on the stat sheet. Unfortunately, that was overseen by splitting the season between the Bulls and the Toronto Raptors, as well as the Iowa Energy of the NBA G-League. Out of his 38 NBA games, he started 25. His production increased to 7.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 0.97 blocks per game.

After a couple of stints with the Raptors and stops with the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings, Johnson made his home in Miami.

His one-year contract in the 2016-17 season ended with leading the Heat in plus/minus (+138). With just five starts in the season, his production was unmatched off the bench. While some undermined his work, it didn’t go unnoticed around the league. Johnson finished fifth in voting for NBA Sixth Man of the Year and sixth for the Most Improved Player of the Year.