Kevin Johnson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Johnson's arrival in Phoenix via a February 28, 1988 trade from Cleveland transformed the franchise. In his first full season, he averaged 20.4 points and 12.2 assists, joining Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas as the only players in NBA history to average at least 20 points and 12 assists in a season. He earned the 1988–89 NBA's Most Improved Player Award. From 1989 to 1995, the Suns won the most regular season games in the NBA (394, an average of 56). In the 1990 playoffs, Johnson led the Suns past Magic Johnson's 63-win Lakers, four games to one, outplaying Magic in the fourth quarter of both Game Four and Game Five. Hall of Fame center Bill Walton later remarked, "Kevin Johnson ... really came to the top of this league in the 1990 playoffs when he waxed Magic Johnson and the Lakers."

In Their Own Story

The 1992–93 Suns, led by Johnson and Charles Barkley, posted an NBA-best 62–20 record and made it to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Michael Jordan-led Bulls four games to two. Johnson averaged 17.8 points and 7.9 assists in those playoffs. In the 1995 playoffs, despite an injury-riddled regular season, Johnson returned to form, averaging 24.8 points on 57.3% shooting and 9.3 assists in ten games. He scored 43 points (18–24 FG) with 9 assists in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals at Houston and 46 points (21–22 FT) with 10 assists in Game Seven.

Reader's Guide

Kevin Johnson was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the 1987 NBA draft as the seventh overall pick. Before the end of his first season, on February 28, 1988, Johnson, Mark West, Tyrone Corbin, and a future draft pick were traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Larry Nance, Mike Sanders, and a future draft pick. Johnson initially retired from the NBA following the 1997–98 season, but returned in 2000 to play several games for the Suns during their playoff run before retiring again. The Suns retired his number 7 on March 7, 2001. Following his initial retirement, Johnson earned a B.A. in political science from U.C. Berkeley. He was elected mayor of Sacramento in 2008 and reelected in 2012, becoming the first African American to serve as mayor of Sacramento.

Did You Know?

• Johnson joined Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas as the only players in NBA history to average at least 20 points and 12 assists in a season (1988–89).
• Johnson was the first player in Pac-10 Conference history to post a triple-double.
• In the 1991 All-Star Game, Johnson wore number 41 instead of his usual number 7, reportedly to honor teammate Mark West.
• Johnson led Dream Team II in total assists (31) and assists per game (3.9) at the 1994 FIBA World Championship.

College Dominance and Baseball Crossroads

Johnson accepted a scholarship to play basketball for the University of California, Berkeley. As a four-year starter, he ended his college career in 1987 as the school's all-time leader in assists (since eclipsed by Jason Kidd), steals, and scoring (since eclipsed by Lamond Murray, Sean Lampley, Patrick Christopher, Joe Shipp and Jerome Randle). Johnson was named to the Pac-10's All-Conference First Team in his junior and senior seasons, averaging 17.2 points and 5 assists in his final year. He led Cal to the program's first post-season appearances in 26 seasons with NIT bids in 1986 and 1987 and was the first player in the Pac-10 Conference to post a triple-double. In 1992, Johnson became the first Golden Bear to have his jersey (No. 11) retired. Johnson briefly played for Cal's baseball team and the Oakland Athletics drafted him as a shortstop in the 23rd round of the 1986 MLB draft. After playing a couple games with Oakland's minor-league team in Modesto, California during the summer of 1986, Johnson ended his baseball career, finding the road to professional baseball more arduous and risky compared to basketball.

NBA Stardom and Phoenix Legacy

Johnson received berths to the NBA All-Star Team in 1990, 1991, and 1994. He was a four-time second team All-NBA selection. In the 1991 All-Star Game in Charlotte, Johnson wore number 41 instead of his familiar number 7. NBC announcers Bob Costas and Mike Fratello speculated that the decision represented Johnson's quiet way of honoring teammate Mark West. In the 1991 NBA All-Star Game, Johnson started alongside Magic Johnson in the Western Conference backcourt. In the 1990 Western Conference Semifinals, Johnson led the Suns past Magic's league-best, 63-win Los Angeles Lakers, four games to one. Over the last two games, Johnson closed out the series by averaging 33.5 points and a dozen assists. Johnson's performance during the 1990 playoffs led the Suns to a second consecutive berth in the Western Conference Finals as Phoenix became the only team to ever defeat John Stockton's Jazz (55 wins) and Magic Johnson's Lakers (63 wins) in the same postseason. The 1992–93 Suns, led by Johnson and new teammate Charles Barkley, posted an NBA-best 62–20 record and made it to the NBA Finals. In the summer of 1994, Johnson played with Dream Team II in the 1994 FIBA World Championship, reuniting with Mark Price to win the gold medal. Johnson led Dream Team II in both total assists (31) and assists per game (3.9).

Political Rise and Historic Mayoralty

Following his initial retirement, Johnson earned a B.A. in political science from U.C. Berkeley. A member of the Democratic Party, he founded St. HOPE in 1989 and has been active in education reform. He was elected mayor of Sacramento in 2008 and reelected in 2012, becoming the first African American to serve as mayor of Sacramento. As mayor, Johnson launched two education initiatives: Stand UP and Sacramento READS!, to benefit students in Sacramento. Johnson also helped to deter the Sacramento Kings basketball team from moving to Anaheim, and, later, to Seattle, Washington.

Early Life and Formative Challenges

Kevin Maurice Johnson was born March 4, 1966, in Sacramento, the son of Georgia West and Lawrence Johnson. After his father died in a boating accident when he was three, Johnson was raised by his grandparents, the Peat family. He attended Sacramento High School, where he starred in both baseball and basketball. In his senior year, Johnson led the state of California in scoring (32.5 ppg) and was named the Northern California Player of the Year.