Outlook
Enters final season as a Rocket and has started 50 straight games...An unselfish player who has a good outside shooting touch...Solid defensive player who possesses a winner’s mentality.
2007-08
Started all 30 games...Ranked second on team with 1.60 three-point field goals and 31.9 minutes per game, third with a 73.3 free-throw percentage and fourth in scoring and rebounding with 8.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game...Knocked down a three-point field goal in eight of last nine contests...Scored in double digits in 15 of 30 games this season, including a career-high five straight games from 12/8-1/6...Scored career-high 18 points in 68-61 setback at Massachusetts (12/15)...Tallied 16 points in 75-62 defeat at Western Michigan (1/19)...Connected for career-high four treys against UMass (12/15) and WMU (1/19)...Knocked down a career-high six free throws vs. EMU (3/4)...Posted an 81.3 free-throw percentage (26-of-32) in conference action.
2006-07
Played in all 32 games...Averaged 15.4 minutes per game and started UT’s last 20 contests...Received double-digit playing time in 25 of 31 games...Averaged 7.2 ppg over last 10 contests with a 49.0 FG% and 39.1 3PTFG% and 1.0 steal per game...Scored season-high 16 points in 68-65 triumph over Akron (2/10) and snapped 0-for-10 string from behind three-point arc with 2-of-4 shooting from long distance...Registered 13 points and six boards in 77-57 win over Central Michigan (3/4)...Tallied nine points and three rebounds in UT’s 68-56 win over Eastern Michigan (2/13)...Scored nine points and grabbed career-best nine rebounds while playing season-high 27 minutes at UTEP (12/23)...Tallied eight points and hauled down four rebounds in 77-61 NIT loss at Florida State (3/13)...Scored eight points vs. Northern Illinois (1/21)...Registered career high in steals twice in a span of three games with three against Eastern Michigan (2/13) and Northern Illinois (2/22).
2005-06
Saw action in 27 of 31 games and averaged 1.6 points and 0.9 rebounds in 7.1 minutes per contest...Started three games vs. Buffalo (1/10), Bowling Green (1/15) and Miami (1/18)...Registered season highs with nine points and three steals in season-high 21 minutes vs. Buffalo (1/10)...Tallied eight points and grabbed season-high four rebounds and scored game-winning basket on putback with no time remaining in 66-64 win at Central Michigan (3/4)...Dished out season-high three assists at Akron (1/7).
High School - Charlestown H.S.
As a senior ? Averaged 17.4 points, 10.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game to help team to 25-2 record and fifth state title in six years...Tallied game-high 25 points in state championship finals...Earned first-team honors on the Boston Globe’s All-City team.
As a junior ? Averaged 15.4 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals per game while shooting 48 percent from three-point range...Earned second-team Boston Globe All-City honors...Team advanced to state championship game.
As a sophomore ? Member of state championship squad.
Personal
Full name: Ridley McClary Johnson...Age: 21 (born Nov. 19, 1986)...Son of Ridley and Anna Johnson...Interests include computers and listening to music...Majoring in sports management and technology.
Johnson’s Career Highs
Points: 18 at UMass (12/15/07)Rebounds: 9 at UTEP (12/23/06)Assists: 3 (5 times, last vs. Buffalo (1/26/08)Blocks: 1 (10 times, last vs. Eastern Michigan (3/4/08)Steals: 3 (2 times, last vs. Eastern Michigan (2/13/07)Field Goals: 7 at UMass (12/15/07)Free Throws: 6 vs. Eastern Michigan (3/4/08)3-Pt. FGs: 4 (2 times, last at Western Michigan (1/19/08)Minutes: 39 at UMass (12/15/07)
Up Close With Ridley Johnson
Nickname: “Rid.”
Favorite Food: Grilled chicken.
Favorite Musical Artist: Jay-Z.
Favorite All-Time Movie: “He Got Game.”
Favorite TV Show: “Family Guy.”
Favorite Pro Sports Team: Boston Celtics.
My Basketball Hero Growing Up Was: Michael Jordan.
Favorite Sport to Watch: Basketball.
The Best Thing About the New Savage Arena will be: Fans and wins.
Favorite Class: Visual Communication.
Favorite Vacation Spot: Martha’s Vineyard.
Best Halloween Costume you had growing up: Ninja.
Worst Job: Never had one but I hate washing dishes.
My Cell Phone Ring is: Jay-Z.
A Hidden Talent that I have is: Being able to speak fluent Spanish.
The Reason I Chose My Uniform Number is: It was the same number I had in high school.
Grade When You Started Playing Basketball: Eighth grade.
Favorite Arena You Have Played on the Road: Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
The part of the game I worked on most this offseason is: My dribbling.
Pregame Superstitions that I have are: Praying and visualizing us winning.
Favorite things to bring on roadtrips: Cell phone and computer.
Your Greatest Sports Moment: Winning three state championships in high school.
