Stanley Johnson probably never envisioned himself in this spot. Per reports, the 6-foot-6 guard signed a two-year contract Thursday with the Lakers after inking three straight 10-day deals.
Considering Johnson was out of the league for a short stretch, this was a joyous day. Especially signing with his hometown dream team.
Johnson is a Southern California native out of
Mater Dei (Santa Ana), who led the Monarchs to four straight state titles and a 135-7 record during his prep career. He finished it off with a mammoth senior season, averaging 25 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.4 steals per game to earn the 2013-14 MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors.
He's one of 16 to win the award since 2005-06 and outside of last year's winner Chet Holmgren, a freshman at Gonzaga, the others all reached the NBA, most experiencing outstanding careers. In fact, all but two of the POYs — Greg Oden (2005-06) and Brandon Jennings (2007-08) — are still in the NBA.
Everybody wanted a picture with Stanley Johnson after he led Mater Dei to its fourth consecutive state title in 2014.
Photo by David Steutel
So for Johnson, the No. 3 national recruit from his class, to be thrilled with a modest two-year contract is a tad surprising. But it also speaks to his hunger to play the game at the highest level.
He was the eighth pick of the 2015 NBA Draft by the Pistons after earning Pac-12 Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2014-15 at Arizona.
Long-range shooting has never been his forte so as the NBA shooting range headed out, so did Johnson's playing time. He was traded to the Pelicans, then signed with the Raptors but despite a career-high 35 points in May of 2021, he was not re-signed for the 2021-22 season.
He signed instead with the Bulls, who waived him before the season in October. A month later, the Lakers signed him to a series of 10-day contracts until Thursday's long-term deal. To earn the contract, he displayed some of the same magic he did back in high school.
His confidence has re-emerged as well.
As a prep, Johnson constantly responded against the toughest competition in the most important games. He scored 26 points and had 12 rebounds as a junior against
Aaron Gordon and Archbishop Mitty to win the 2013 state championship game, 50-45.
As a senior he put up 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists in a showdown victory against
Jahlil Okafor and Whitney Young (Chicago) at the Nike Extravaganza. A few weeks later versus
Ivan Rabb and Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland), Johnson went for 25 points and eight assists in an 71-61 victory in the state championship, his final prep contest.
Mater Dei coach Gary McKnight, who recently won his 1,200th game, fourth most in high school history, noted Johnson's ability to adjust and guard anyone on the court, traits that have proven valuable with the Lakers.
"As a freshman he played center, as a sophomore forward, two guard as a junior and now he's playing point guard," he told MaxPreps in 2014.
Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) coach Lou Richie said that Johnson's character and charisma would carry him past the college or NBA level.
"Stanley Johnson is a great brand all by himself," Richie said. "He has
life skills that will allow him to be successful far beyond his playing
days."
Moments after Johnson's final prep game, McKnight said: "He's special. He's intelligent. He loves his teammates. One of a kind. He's the best we've ever had. Period."
Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year
2021 — Chet Holmgren, Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis)
2020 — Cade Cunningham, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
2019 — Sharife Cooper, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)
2018 — R.J. Barrett, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
2017 — Michael Porter Jr., Nathan Hale (Seattle)
2016 — Lonzo Ball, Chino Hills (Calif.)
2015 — Ben Simmons, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
2014 — Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)2013 — Jabari Parker, Simeon (Chicago)
2012 — Kyle Anderson, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)
2011 — Austin Rivers, Winter Park (Fla.)
2010 — Harrison Barnes, Ames (Iowa)
2009 — Derrick Favors, South Atlanta (Atlanta)
2008 — Brandon Jennings, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
2007 — Kevin Love, Lake Oswego (Lake Oswego, Ore.)
2006 — Greg Oden, Lawrence North (Indianapolis)
