Eddie Johnson (basketball, born 1955) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Eddie Johnson

Johnson with the Atlanta Hawks in 1981
Personal information
Born	(1955-02-24)February 24, 1955 Ocala, Florida
Nationality	American
Died	October 26, 2020(2020-10-26) (aged 65) Milton, Florida
High school	Lake Weir (Summerfield, Florida)
Listed height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight	180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
College	Auburn (1973–1977)
NBA Draft	1977 / Round: 3 / Pick: 49th overall
Selected by the Atlanta Hawks
Pro career	1977–1987
Career history
1977–1986	Atlanta Hawks
1986	Cleveland Cavaliers
1986–1987	Tampa Bay Thrillers
1987	Seattle SuperSonics
Career highlights and awards
2× NBA All-Star (1980, 1981) 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1979, 1980) All-CBA First Team (1987) CBA Newcomer of the Year (1987) 3× First-team All-SEC (1974–1976)
Career NBA statistics
Points	10,163 (15.1 ppg)
Rebounds	1,522 (2.3 rpg)
Assists	3,436 (5.1 apg)

Edward Lee Johnson Jr. (February 24, 1955 – October 26, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. He played 10 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) – mainly as a member of the Atlanta Hawks – from 1977 to 1987. Johnson was a two-time NBA-All-Star with the Hawks in 1980 and 1981, and earned two nominations to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1979 and 1980. He was nicknamed "Fast Eddie" for his speed and quickness on the court.

Johnson's notorious off-court behaviour harmed his reputation as a player. He was traded by the Hawks to the Cleveland Cavaliers for the end of the 1985–86 season. He played for the Tampa Bay Thrillers in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) during the 1986–87 season in an attempt to return to the NBA and received a mid-season call-up to play for the Seattle SuperSonics in what would be his final professional stint. Johnson's playing career ended when he received a suspension by the NBA in 1987. His life after basketball delved further into criminal activities and culminated in Johnson being sentenced to life in prison in 2008. He died of an undisclosed illness while serving his sentence.

Early life and college career

Johnson was born in Ocala, Florida, and raised in Weirsdale, Florida, as the oldest of five children. His father worked as a laborer. Johnson played basketball with a homemade goal outside his family's house. He was one of the first black students to attend a previously all-white grade school in Weirsdale. He attended Lake Weir High School and started all four years he played. Johnson graduated from Lake Weir as one of the top students in his class.

Johnson played college basketball for the Auburn Tigers from 1973 to 1977. He led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in scoring as a freshman with 21.8 points per game. Johnson led the Tigers in scoring and assists for his first three seasons, and was nominated to the All-SEC Coaches' first-team from 1974 to 1976. He allegedly had conflicts with Tigers coach Bob Davis who accused Johnson of having "a bad attitude". Johnson's scoring average dipped each season with the Tigers and caused worry amongst professional scouts as to if he was a problematic player.

Professional career

Johnson was selected by the Atlanta Hawks as the 49th overall pick of the 1977 NBA draft. Averaging 10.5 points, the rookie helped the Hawks return to the playoffs after a four-year absence, a feat repeated in six of Johnson's eight full years with the club.

Johnson became a starter in 1978–79. During that season, Johnson advanced as far as he ever would in pursuit of an NBA championship, losing in the conference semifinals to the Washington Bullets. He was a starter four consecutive seasons, averaging at least 16 points each season. Fans voted Johnson into a starting spot in the 1980 NBA All-Star Game, where he scored 22 points on 11-of-16 shooting. He returned as a starter in the 1981 NBA All-Star Game, where he scored 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting.

Johnson was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Johnny Davis during the 1985–86 NBA season. He considered his year with the Cavaliers to be "a waste." Johnson played in the Continental Basketball Association for the Tampa Bay Thrillers during the 1986–87 season as he needed visibility to work his way back into the NBA. He averaged 22 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 26 games played with the Thrillers. Johnson was named the CBA Newcomer of the Year and nominated to the All-CBA First Team.

Johnson signed a contract with the Seattle SuperSonics as they needed an experienced guard for the end of the 1986–87 NBA season. SuperSonics coach Bernie Bickerstaff had a closed-door meeting with his players before Johnson was signed while the team assigned someone to monitor Johnson's activities due to their wariness of his volatility.

Johnson was considered a desirable person during the NBA season who went out of control during offseasons. Pat Williams, who was then general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, stated: "Eddie became a time bomb every summer." After several suspensions, he finally checked himself into rehab in 1986. After he failed to follow through on mandatory counseling, the NBA suspended him in 1987.

Johnson averaged 15.1 points per game in 675 games played during his 10-year NBA career.

Personal life

Johnson's younger brother, Frank, is a former player and coach in the NBA. He was a distant cousin of fellow basketball player Tree Rollins, who was his teammate on the Hawks.

Johnson had three children.

Death

Johnson died on October 26, 2020, of an undisclosed illness in Milton, Florida. His death was confirmed on November 3, 2020.

NBA career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

See also

In Spanish: Edward Johnson, Jr. para niños