Watch: Duke signee Jalen Johnson dominating after return to Wisconsin

Nicolet aims for Division 2 repeat with return of 5-star wing.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jordan Divens
By
Feb 20, 2020, 1:00pm
Video: Jalen Johnson highlights
Duke commit has shined in return to Nicolet.

Jalen Johnson was one of the biggest names on the transfer market this summer, announcing his intentions to join defending national champion IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) for his senior year.

Expected to be the go-to guy for the Ascenders, the 6-foot-9 wing never played a game after a preseason falling out.

Last month, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel announced Johnson was returning to Nicolet (Glendale, Wis.), where he spent last season, but it was unclear if he would be allowed to play for the Knights after the brief transfer.

The Duke signee posted 20 points and 11 rebounds in an 87-60 victory over West Bend (Wisc.) on Feb. 11, the first time he's played since last season's state title game.

Johnson is averaging 21.3 points per night through three games, joining James Graham (20.6 ppg) and his younger brother Kobe Johnson (20.5 ppg) as Knights' leading scorers.

Nicolet is 17-3 (3-0 since Jalen Johnson's return) with two regular season games remaining and are among favorites to repeat as WIAA Division 2 state champions.

Johnson is the reigning Wisconsin Associated Press Player of the Year after averaging 19.7 points, 11.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists per contest as a junior. The 5-star posted 20 points and 20 rebounds in the state title game and recorded triple-doubles seven times in 2018-19.
Jalen Johnson in a preseason photo shoot for IMG Academy. The Duke signee returned to Nicolet (Wisc.) and looks to lead the Knights to a repeat as Division 2 champions.
Jalen Johnson in a preseason photo shoot for IMG Academy. The Duke signee returned to Nicolet (Wisc.) and looks to lead the Knights to a repeat as Division 2 champions.
Photo by David Rosenblum


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