Former Wildcat Stanley Johnson making most of NBA opportunity

HOUSTON, TX – Getting the start after signing a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, former Wildcat Stanley Johnson is making most of his NBA opportunity.

Making his second appearance with the injury-riddled Los Angeles Lakers, former Wildcat Stanley Johnson got the start in Houston last night, this just days after signing his 10-day contract.

Playing alongside NBA stars LeBron James and Russell Westbrook, Stanley held his own for the second night in a row as he finished with nine points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal in the teams’ 132-123 win over the Houston Rockets.

Stanley of course made his first appearance with the Lakers on Christmas Day, finishing his day with seven points, a rebound, an assist, and a steal in the teams’ 122-115 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

Stanley Johnson still has a few days left on his 10-day contract, and the hope is that he will get extended as he is making the most of his NBA opportunity.

A former star at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, CA, Stanley grew up a Lakers fan, and after spending just one year at Arizona, the former Wildcat star once held out hope that he would end up with the Lakers on Draft night in 2015.

Instead, Stanley was drafted by the Detroit Pistons at No. 8, and after that, things never really flourished for him.

Bouncing around from team to team, Stanley has spent time in Detroit (2015-2019), New Orleans (2019), and Toronto (2019-21); however, he entered the 2021-22 season with an NBA team.

Stanley did sign a 10-day contract earlier this month with the Chicago Bulls but unfortunately, that did not pan out as Johnson did not get an opportunity to play.

So far with the Lakers, Stanley is showcasing his value in this league as he averaging 8.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game with his hometown team. The hope is that he will continue to get an opportunity to play and show his worth.