1 DAY AGO • WATAUGADEMOCRAT.COM
DARIUS JOHNSON #3 - GUARD - UCF KNIGHTS
14.5 PPG •
3.8 RPG •
5.3Â APGÂ
14.5 PPG
3.8 RPG
5.3 APG
Darius Johnson hits milestone as UCF tops Tennessee Tech Darius Johnson reached 1,000 career points at the UCF, Keyshawn Hall scored a game-high 20 points and the Knights stayed unbeaten with an 80...
Rebounds with 21-point effort Johnson notched 21 points (6-9 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 5-5 FT), two rebounds, five assists and one steal across 32 minutes during Tuesday's 100-94 victory over Florida Atlantic.
Impact Johnson rebounded from a seven point effort in his last game to drain six of nine from the field, including shooting 4-for-7 from downtown to post 21 points and five assists across 32 minutes. Johnson has spent his entire collegiate career in Orlando with UCF, a true rarity in today's landscape, and has improved in each of his first three seasons, culminating with averaging 15.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals last year. He's looking to take one more step forward this season and so far, so good as he's posted at least 20 points in two of three games, averaging 17.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.3 steals across 36 minutes thus far.
NOVEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE
Shines in opening night victory Johnson finished with 24 points (6-13 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 7-8 FT), three rebounds, five assists and three steals over 38 minutes during Monday's 64-61 win over Texas A&M.
Impact Johnson scored 20 or more seven times last year and begins this season with a similar effort, posting 24 points on just 13 shots from the floor. Johnson shot nearly 40% from three last season after not having topped 30% in each of his first two seasons and he continued that trend in his initial effort of this campaign, draining five from behind the arc at a 45.5% clip. Johnson also stuffed the stat sheet, pacing the team in assists and steals while also contributing a few boards. The ancillary numbers produced Monday are in line with what he's produced the last two seasons. His scoring rose more than five points per game between his sophomore and junior seasons, which means if he sees another scoring spike this season, that could put him in the 18-20 points range which would leave him as one of the most valuable and productive guards in the country.
NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE
Posts 32 points in defeat Johnson ended with 32 points (12-22 FG, 6-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, three assists and four steals across 37 minutes during Wednesday's 87-73 loss to BYU.
Impact Johnson closes the season by posting two 30-point efforts in his last three games. However, unlike his previous 30-point performance, which was aided by 10 trips to the line, only two of his 32 came from the charity stripe on Wednesday. Johnson made a career-high six threes on eight attempts while converting six of his 14 two-point shots. The junior point guard also added three assists and rebounds to go along with four steals, a mark he reached on nine different occasions this season. Johnson ended his season scoring double-figures in 13 straight, averaging 19.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.8 steals during that final stretch of games.
MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE
Career-best performance Johnson accumulated 33 points (9-13 FG, 5-6 3Pt, 10-10 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and one steal over 36 minutes before fouling out of Saturday's 79-77 victory over TCU.
Impact Johnson was a perfect 10-for-10 from the line and drained five of six from behind the arc on his way to a career-best performance. Both the 33 points and nine boards represented career-highs for the junior guard who has performed as one of the best players in the Big 12, especially during the second-half of the conference slate. Interestingly, Johnson's one steal was the first time in 12 games that he failed to produce multiple thefts in a game. Johnson has posted double-figures in each of his last 11 games and 20 or more in four of those, averaging 18.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.9 steals during that closing stretch. Johnson will look to continue his strong play during next week's Big 12 tournament, which is set to begin for the Golden Knights on Tuesday.
MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE
Struggles, still produces Johnson contributed 14 points (4-13 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 5-5 FT), two rebounds, three assists and two steals in 34 minutes before fouling out of Saturday's 66-59 loss to Texas Tech.
Impact Johnson struggled from the field again on Saturday, marking the fifth time in six games he's shot under 33%. However, the shooting struggles have not necessarily translated to scoring struggles as he's managed to manufacture points from the charity stripe, going 14-for-15 over the last two games from the line. Where Johnson has also excelled is on the defensive end, posting his seventh multi-theft performance of the conference slate. Johnson has had a rebound in his performance over the last three games after had scored just 12 points and averaged under three assists and rebounds per game in three games from Jan. 20-27. In this most recent three-game stretch, he's averaging 17.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 2.7 steals over 34.0 minutes per contest.
FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE
Big night in loss Johnson fouled out of Wednesday's 77-69 loss to Baylor after recording 23 points (9-12 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 0-2 FT), seven rebounds, 10 assists and two steals across 36 minutes.
Impact UCF may have taken the loss but Johnson was the best player on the court prior to fouling out Wednesday. The junior point guard posted his first double-double of the season with a season-high 10 assists while also posting a season-high on the glass. Johnson had only posted a total of 23 points over his previous four games prior to his 23-point outburst against the Bears, especially struggling over his last three when he averaged 4.0 points per game on just 2-for-23 shooting. Wednesday's turnaround included a season-best 75% shooting from the field while also draining a season-high 5-for-7 from behind the arc.
JANUARY 31 • ROTOWIRE
UCF Knights' defense powers team to comeback victory over No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks
Jaylin Sellers scored 18 points, Darius Johnson added 17 and UCF erased a 16-point deficit to beat No. 3 Kansas 65-60 on Wednesday night.JANUARY 11
Totals seven steals Johnson logged 12 points (4-12 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and seven steals in 38 minutes during Wednesday's 72-67 victory over Wichita State.
Impact Johnson set a new season high with his seven steal performance in Wednesday's win. In the three games prior to Wednesday, Johnson had totaled just three steals, more than doubling in the win. Though he has not shot the ball very well over the last three games, Johnson has played well overall, scoring 12 points while collecting at least four rebounds and three assists in the three game stretch. On top of the impressive defense, Johnson also managed to grab four offensive rebounds, giving the team multiple second chance opportunities.
FEBRUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Scores nine points Johnson recorded nine points (3-11 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three assists and one block over 32 minutes during Wednesday's 82-71 loss to Houston.
Impact Johnson would have scored 10 had he not been quite efficient with his shooting Wednesday. Still, that is better than being absent, and he is expected to continue being the occasionally valued scorer that Central Florida has been benefiting from.
JANUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Starting Wednesday Johnson (foot) is listed in UCF's starting lineup for Wednesday's matchup with Houston.
Impact Johnson will start in his return to the court on Wednesday after missing the last four games with a foot injury. The 6-foot-1 sophomore has appeared in 10 games this season, averaging 11.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.5 steals on 30.6 minutes per game.
JANUARY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Available vs. Houston Johnson (foot) will be available when the Knights host Houston on Wednesday, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.
Impact Johnson will record his first log since Jan. 4. Fantasy managers should not be surprised if the Knights have him a part of their starting lineup Wednesday. However, they could use Jayhlon Young at least once more.
JANUARY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Considered day-to-day Johnson (foot) is considered day-to-day and is "doing more every day" according to UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins, Jason Beede of 247Sports.com reports Monday.
Impact Johnson has missed the Knights last four games, and is still going to be day-to-day for UCF. He is, however, getting closer. "We see the signs of him getting back sooner rather than later," Dawkins told reporters on Monday night. The sophomore is putting up 11.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
JANUARY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Out Saturday with foot injury Johnson (foot) is out Saturday against South Florida, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.
Impact The sophomore will miss his fourth consecutive game with a foot injury that occurred in early January. Johnson is averaging 11.8 points and 4.3 assists on the season. He will be a game-time decision ahead of Wednesday's matchup versus Houston.
JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Still considered day-to-day Coach Johnny Dawkins said Friday that Johnson (foot) remains day-to-day ahead of Saturday's game against South Florida, Jason Beede of 247Sports.com reports.
Impact Dawkins said Monday that Johnson is "getting better," but the point guard is still being labeled as day-to-day nearly a week later. He's missed the last three games and will presumably be monitored ahead of Saturday's tipoff before the team determines his status against South Florida. It wouldn't be surprising to see Johnson reclaim his starting role once he's cleared to play.
JANUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Trending toward return Central Florida coach Johnny Dawkins said Monday that Johnson (foot) is "getting better" and is considered "day-to-day" heading into Saturday's game against South Florida, Jason Be...
Impact Johnson has missed the last three games while dealing with a foot injury after starting each of the previous seven contests. Dawkins added that the 6-foot-1 sophomore "shouldn't be out much longer," though he didn't specify if he'd be able to return in time for Saturday's contest. Johnson has averaged 11.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.5 steals across 10 games this season, so he'll likely reprise a starting role at point guard when healthy again.
JANUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Remains out Saturday Johnson (foot) won't play in Saturday's game versus Tulane, Guerry Smith of The New Orleans Advocate reports.
Impact Johnson will miss his third straight game due to a left foot injury. The sophomore guard will get a full week to recover for next Saturday's matchup with South Florida.
JANUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Won't play against Memphis UCF coach Johnny Dawkins said he isn't expecting Johnson (foot) to suit up for Wednesday's game versus Memphis, Jason Beede of 247Sports.com reports.
Impact Johnson will miss his second straight game Wednesday due to a foot injury. His next chance to play will be Saturday's matchup with Tulane.
JANUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Status unchanged Johnson (foot) is expected to sit out the Knights' game Wednesday versus Memphis, Jason Beede of 247Sports.com reports.
Impact Johnson's availability was doubtful even before the Knights hosted SMU on Sunday. Jayhlon Young logged a double-double that day and is expected to be part of their starting lineup while Johnson sits out this Wednesday.
JANUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Out vs. SMU Johnson will sit out the Golden Knights' game Sunday versus SMU, according to Jason Beede of 247Sports.com.
Impact Johnson was seen wearing a walking boot Sunday. Currently, his availability is doubtful before the Golden Knights' game Wednesday versus Memphis.
JANUARY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Continues hot play Johnson accumulated 17 points (5-12 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 6-6 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, one block and three steals in 37 minutes before fouling out of Saturday's 71-65 loss to Hous...
Impact Johnson made plays all over the floor in Saturday's close loss. Since joining the starting lineup, Johnson has played a major role on both ends of the court. Saturday marked Johnson's fifth straight game scoring in double figures and was his second consecutive game with three or more steals. Johnson is the second leading scorer for the Knights, averaging 12.3 points per game.
JANUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Unimpressive across game started Johnson logged three points (0-5 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five assists, two rebounds and two steals across 29 minutes during Central Florida's 75-49 win versus Tarleton State.
Impact Johnson is the backup of Jayhlon Young. Both swapped their roles Sunday. Unlike previously, Johnson struggled to play well while Young scored 15 points (5-8 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT) without logging any turnovers.
DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Part of starting lineup Johnson is a part of the Golden Knights' starting lineup Sunday versus Tarleton State, according to their official Twitter account.
Impact Johnson averaged 12.7 points, 3.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds across his three games played from Nov. 23 to Dec. 4. Jayhlon Young is a backup Sunday.
DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Makes 2022-23 debut Johnson (undisclosed) recorded two points (1-2 FG), four assists, one rebound and two steals in 14 minutes during Wednesday's win over Evansville.
Impact Johnson missed the first five games of the season due to an undisclosed issue, but he should be part of the Knights' regular rotation going forward now that he's healthy. In 30 appearances last season, Johnson averaged 6.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and a steal in 23.5 minutes per contest.
NOVEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Won't play Monday Johnson won't play in Monday's game against UNC-Asheville, Jason Beede of 247Sports.com reports.
Impact Johnson will miss the season opener with an undisclosed issue. The guard will presumably be tabbed day-to-day moving forward.
NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
