Personal information | |
---|---|
Born |
Chicago, Illinois |
May 1, 1959
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Westinghouse (Chicago, Illinois) |
College | Illinois (1977–1981) |
NBA draft | 1981 / Round: 2 / Pick: 29th overall |
Selected by the Kansas City Kings | |
Playing career | 1981–1999 |
Position | Small forward |
Number | 8, 22 |
Career history | |
1981–1987 | Kansas City / Sacramento Kings |
1987–1990 | Phoenix Suns |
1990–1993 | Seattle SuperSonics |
1993–1994 | Charlotte Hornets |
1994–1995 | Olympiacos |
1995–1997 | Indiana Pacers |
1997–1999 | Houston Rockets |
Career highlights and awards | |
Career NBA statistics | |
Points | 19,202 (16.0 ppg) |
Rebounds | 4,832 (4.0 rpg) |
Assists | 2,550 (2.1 apg) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Edward Arnet "Eddie" Johnson (born May 1, 1959) is a retired American professional basketball player who spent 17 seasons in the NBA and a year in the Greek Basket League midway through his career. With nearly 1,200 games in the NBA, he is notable for having scored the most career points of a player to never play in an NBA All-Star game. He is currently a broadcaster for Sirius XM NBA Radio and Fox Sports Arizona.
After graduating from Chicago's Westinghouse High School, Johnson, a sharpshooting 6'7" forward/guard, attended the University of Illinois, majoring in history, before being selected by the Kansas City Kings in the 1981 NBA draft. Among Fighting Illini fans he is probably best remembered for his game-winning shot against Michigan State University (MSU). At the time, MSU, which was led by future all-time NBA great Earvin "Magic" Johnson, was undefeated and ranked #1 in the nation, but Illinois was also undefeated at 14-0. The victory gave Illinois a 15-0 record and the #2 ranking nationally (Illinois subsequently faded during regular season play, but MSU went on to become eventual National Champions).
Johnson was elected to the "Illini Men's Basketball All-Century Team" in 2004.
Johnson would play for the Kings, the Phoenix Suns, the Seattle SuperSonics, the Charlotte Hornets, the Indiana Pacers, the Houston Rockets, and Greek team Olympiacos (1994–1995) before retiring from basketball in 1999. Although his 19,202 points over 1,199 NBA games was the 22nd highest total in NBA history at the time of his retirement, Johnson was never selected to play in the All-Star game nor ever chosen for an All-NBA team. In fact, the "awards highlight" of his career occurred in 1989, when he received the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award as a member of the Suns. Johnson's career point total of 19,202 is also higher than all but 30 inductees into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.