The Fraser Valley Bandits have announced the signing of Kyle Johnson, who will join the team for the 2020 Canadian Elite Basketball League season.
Johnson played four years of NCAA Division I basketball for Long Island University from 2007 to 2011 before embarking upon a professional playing career that has taken him around the globe.
The six-foot-four guard has played professionally in France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus and is currently enjoying a stellar season for Stjarnan in Iceland. Johnson is posting averages of 15 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, shooting 48.3 per cent from the field and 35.4 per cent from three point range.
Johnson represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
“Having played in some of Europe’s top professional leagues and representing Great Britain at some of the highest international competitions, I am excited to come home to Canada this summer and continue my professional career in British Columbia,” Johnson said.
One of the most notable performances of Johnson’s career was when he scored 51 points on 17-of-22 shooting for the London Lightning in 2017, who were then coached by current Bandits basketball boss Kyle Julius.
“Kyle Johnson is a special basketball player and an even better person. KJ was a major piece to our championship team in London three years ago where his leadership and shot making was dependable night in and night out. KJ is a world-class shooter and has the ability to guard multiple positions. KJ is the perfect player to build our culture around,” Julius said.
The Bandits begin their second season in the CEBL May 8 when the club takes on the defending champion Saskatchewan Rattlers at the Abbotsford Centre.