Keon Johnson called “game” on Friday night in Sin City.
Candace Parker called for “Rocky Top” to be played.
With opportunities winding down in the overtime period of Friday’s NBA Summer League opener between Brooklyn and Indiana, former Tennessee guard and former Summer League champion Keon Johnson hit a game-winning turnaround jump shot to give the Nets the 97-95 win passing the target score of 96.
GAME. SET. MATCH. @iamkeonjohnson pic.twitter.com/CSeeSAPRv7
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) July 13, 2024
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It was fitting that Johnson’s game-winner took place during Parker’s first Summer League broadcasting call as the Tennessee connection shined through in the closing moments.
CLUTCH. #NBA2KSummerLeague https://t.co/6r4woRIA2s pic.twitter.com/elz6F5zOAn
— NBA (@NBA) July 13, 2024
Johnson was terrific during the Nets’ summer league season opener on Friday night as Brooklyn’s second-leading scorer (16 pts) with the best plus/minus on the team at +7. Johnson knocked down 7-of-12 shots from the floor with a perfect 2-of-2 at the free-throw line and 0-of-2 three-point shooting. The former Vol also recorded five rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks for an all-around complete performance during the overtime victory.
A native of Shelbyville, Tennessee, Johnson played his one season for Rick Barnes at Tennessee during the COVID-altered 2020 season. Johnson started 17 of 27 games for Tennessee that season and was the Vols’ second-leading average scorer at 11.3 points per game. Johnson only trailed fellow one-and-done Jaden Springer in the average scoring department, who just won an NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics.
Johnson ended up with the Los Angeles Clippers by way of the 21st overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft but was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in February of his rookie season. The 6-foot-6 guard wound up helping lead the Blazers to the NBA Summer League championship title in 2022.
Johnson suffered an injury with Portland in March 2023 and was sent to Phoenix in September 2023 but was waived in October. Just a week later, Johnson signed a two-way contract with the Nets leading up to summer ball this season.
Former Tennessee Vol Josiah-Jordan James was on the Pacers’ bench during the game but did not record any minutes in the overtime contest.
