Former Wildcat Nick Johnson continues to blossom in his post-Arizona career as he was named to the Team USA World Cup roster.
If we haven’t heard enough good news of Arizona Alumni in professional sports, former Wildcat Nick Johnson learned that he will be play for the USA World Cup Qualifying Team that will compete in the FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifying Tournament.
Per USA Basketball, the roster was announced yesterday, and will be led by former NBA head coach, Jeff Van Gundy.
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There’s no doubt Johnson has had a busy few months. After being named the NBA G-League Finals MVP, Johnson was given an invite to compete for the FIBA World Cup qualifying games for USA.
Officially making the roster, he will join 11 other players who will face Mexico on June 28 in Mexico City, and Cuba on July 1 in Havana. So far, the team is 4-0 in the qualifying games.
This past season, Johnson averaged 11.7 points per game, along with four rebounds and nearly four assists for the Austin Spurs, San Antonio’s G-League affiliate. This was his second season in the NBA’s development league.
If you may recall, Johnson was drafted by the Houston Rockets out of college in 2014 going 42nd overall in the second round, but unfortunately Johnson has not played in the NBA since his rookie season.
Either way, it’s great to see the former Wildcat continue to find success on the court beyond his Arizona years. Interestingly enough, he will join another former Wildcat in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, as Jordin Mayes too was named to a roster, as Mayes will play for Uganda.
The U.S. roster will mainly consist of G-League and overseas players and according to USA Basketball this is who is on the qualifying roster currently.
- Taylor Braun (Salt Lake City Stars)
- Alex Caruso (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Reggie Hearn (Grand Rapids Drive)
- Jonathan Holmes (Maine Red Claws)
- Amile Jefferson (Iowa Wolves)
- Kevin Jones (Baskonia- Spain)
- Trey McKinney Jones (Fort Wayne Mad Ants)
- Xavier Munford (Wisconsin Herd)
- David Stockton (Stockton Kings)
- Rashawn Thomas (Oklahoma City Blue)
- Marcus Thornton (Canton Charge)
- Nick Johsnon (Austin Spurs)
NEWS: USA Men’s World Cup Qualifying Team roster finalized for third @FIBAWC qualifying window
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) June 25, 2018
🔗 https://t.co/EBCYtxtK4F pic.twitter.com/ffktEEkfkf
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At Zona Zealots, we would like to congratulate Nick on being named to the roster and wish him the best as he competes for USA! Bear Down, Arizona!