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. (born February 24, 1955 – died October 26, 2020) was a talented American basketball player. He played for 10 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Most of his career was with the Atlanta Hawks from 1977 to 1987.

Johnson was chosen as an NBA All-Star twice with the Hawks in 1980 and 1981. He was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1979 and 1980. People called him "Fast Eddie" because he was very quick on the basketball court. Challenges in his life outside of basketball affected his playing career.

Early Life and College Basketball

Johnson was born in Ocala, Florida. He grew up in Weirsdale, Florida, as the oldest of five children. His father worked as a laborer. Eddie learned to play basketball using a homemade hoop at his family's home.

He was one of the first Black students to attend a previously all-white school in Weirsdale. He went to Lake Weir High School and played basketball all four years. Johnson was one of the top students when he graduated.

Johnson played college basketball for the Auburn Tigers from 1973 to 1977. As a freshman, he led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in scoring. He scored 21.8 points per game that year.

For his first three seasons, Johnson led the Tigers in both scoring and assists. He was chosen for the All-SEC Coaches' first-team from 1974 to 1976. His scoring average went down each year at Auburn. This made professional scouts wonder about him.

Professional Basketball Career

The Atlanta Hawks picked Johnson as the 49th player in the 1977 NBA draft. As a rookie, he averaged 10.5 points. He helped the Hawks reach the playoffs after four years. They made the playoffs in six of his eight full years with the team.

Johnson became a starter in the 1978–79 season. That year, he played in the conference semifinals. His team lost to the Washington Bullets. He was a starter for four seasons in a row. During these years, he scored at least 16 points each season.

Fans voted Johnson to start in the 1980 NBA All-Star Game. He scored 22 points in that game. He started again in the 1981 NBA All-Star Game, where he scored 16 points.

Johnson was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 1985–86 NBA season. He later played for the Tampa Bay Thrillers in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). This was in the 1986–87 season. He hoped to return to the NBA.

He averaged 22 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists with the Thrillers. Johnson was named the CBA Newcomer of the Year. He was also chosen for the All-CBA First Team.

The Seattle SuperSonics signed Johnson because they needed an experienced guard. This was for the end of the 1986–87 NBA season. His playing career ended when the NBA suspended him in 1987.

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

Personal Life

Johnson's younger brother, Frank, also played and coached in the NBA. He was a distant cousin of another basketball player, Tree Rollins. Rollins was his teammate on the Hawks.

Johnson had three children.

Death

Johnson passed away on October 26, 2020. He died in Milton, Florida. His death was confirmed on November 3, 2020.

NBA Career Statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Images for kids

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  A robot illustration.