Reggie Johnson Returns to Miami
May 7, 2011
CORAL GABLES, FLA. – University of Miami center Reggie Johnson has elected to return to the Hurricanes for his junior season in 2011-12.
The 6-10, 300-pound center from Winston-Salem, N.C., tested the waters of the NBA Draft without hiring an agent, and participated in today’s combine at the Nets’ practice facility in East Rutherford, N.J., in front of scouts, coaches and personnel from approximately 27 NBA teams.
“It was great to go through this process and have the chance to talk to some teams,” said Johnson. “I got positive feedback about my hands and footwork, but I decided that it would be best for me to come back to school and continue to work on some things to get to that next level.
“I feel like we have a great team returning next year, and I want to work with my teammates at Miami to make the NCAA Tournament. The opportunity to do that is a big part of my decision to come back.”
“We’re very happy that Reggie has decided to return to our program at Miami,” said head coach Jim Larranaga, who is entering his first season at the helm for the Hurricanes. “I’m looking forward to working with him and his teammates to win an ACC Championship and compete in the NCAA Tournament.
“Reggie is a big, strong man who we expect to anchor both our offense and defense next season.”
Johnson returns to a veteran Miami squad in 2011-12 that loses just one player (Adrian Thomas) from a team that went 21-15 and advanced to the NIT quarterfinals. The Hurricanes return 86 percent of their scoring, 93 percent of their assists and 88 percent of their rebounding, while adding 6-11 redshirt sophomore Kenny Kadji (Florida), 6-5 redshirt junior Trey McKinney Jones (UMKC) and 6-2 freshman guard Bishop Daniels.
As a sophomore in 2011, Johnson was Miami’s leading rebounder and third-leading scorer, nearly averaging a double-double with 11.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. He converted 59.1 percent of his field goals – the third-highest single-season percentage in UM history, while adding a team-high 1.3 blocks per game. He finished the season ranked second in the ACC in offensive rebounds (3.5), fourth in both defensive rebounds (6.1) and overall rebounds and 20th in scoring.
Johnson – who earned All-ACC honorable mention honors – started 34 games last season, posting 13 double-doubles – including a 14-point, 20-rebound performance in the NIT first-round win over FAU. His 347 rebounds last season are the most for a Hurricane since Rick Barry posted a school-record 475 in 1964-65, while he scored in double figures 23 times, including four 20-point outings.
