Magic Johnson
From Lower Merion High School to the PBA — a journeyman's path through the NBA, G League, Australia, and Spain.
Robert Johnson Jr. (born December 21, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters of the PBA. He played college basketball for La Salle and Syracuse. Johnson attended Lower Merion High School, the alma mater of Kobe Bryant, and was a top-100 high school prospect. He originally committed to Syracuse out of high school, then transferred to La Salle, where he led the team in scoring and rebounding as a junior and senior. After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Johnson signed with the Charlotte Hornets for NBA Summer League, then with the Orlando Magic, and later played for the Atlanta Hawks on two 10-day contracts in March 2019. He also played for the Sacramento Kings, the Long Island Nets, the Brisbane Bullets of the Australian NBL, and Real Betis of the Spanish Liga ACB before joining the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in June 2026.
- Character
- Robert Johnson Jr.
- Affiliation
- Atlanta Hawks (2019)
- First appears
- March 3, 2019
- Status
- Active (Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters)
- Relation to Hawks
- Played for the Hawks on two 10-day contracts in March 2019
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Johnson grew up outside Philadelphia and attended Lower Merion High School, the same school as NBA Hall-of-Famer Kobe Bryant. In the 2013 state championship, he had 22 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Chester High School. He was a top-100 high school prospect. Johnson originally committed to Syracuse out of high school. As a sophomore for the Orange in 2014–15, he averaged 4.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. After that season, he decided to transfer to La Salle. Coach John Giannini told him he would be an impact player after sitting out the requisite year. As a junior at La Salle, Johnson led the team in points (17.6 per game) and rebounds (6.3) per game and was named to the All-Big 5 first team. After the season he declared for the 2017 NBA draft but ultimately withdrew his name. As a senior, he was named to the All-Atlantic 10 second team and again to the All-Big 5 first team, averaging 20.8 points per game — the most for an Explorer since Rasual Butler in 2002 — and leading the team with 8.3 rebounds per game. He graduated from La Salle with a degree in finance.
In Their Own Story
After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Johnson signed with the Charlotte Hornets for NBA Summer League. On September 5, 2018, he signed with the Orlando Magic, but was waived on October 10. He then played for their G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic. On March 1, 2019, Johnson signed a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks. He made his NBA debut two days later, putting up 11 points on perfect 4-of-4 shooting (3-of-3 three-point shooting), 2 rebounds, and a steal during 19 minutes of action in a 123–118 win over the Chicago Bulls. On March 12, he signed a second 10-day contract. After that expired, he returned to the Lakeland Magic. On April 2, 2019, Johnson signed a rest-of-season contract with the Sacramento Kings, but was waived on July 19. On September 27, 2019, he re-signed with the Orlando Magic for training camp, was waived on October 19, then signed a two-way contract on November 4. On January 4, 2020, playing for Lakeland, he tallied 35 points, eight rebounds and two assists against the Canton Charge. He averaged 22.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game for Lakeland and was named to the All-NBA G League Second Team. On December 4, 2020, he signed with the Miami Heat, but was waived on December 19. He was added to the Long Island Nets roster and made his debut on February 10, 2021. In 14 games, he averaged 18.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 31.1 minutes per game. On April 19, 2021, he signed with the Brisbane Bullets of the Australian NBL for the remainder of the 2020–21 season. In 11 games, he averaged 10.0 points and 3.7 rebounds in 21.5 minutes per game. On October 15, 2021, he signed with the Orlando Magic again, but was waived the next day. On October 28, he re-signed with the Lakeland Magic as an affiliate player, playing 10 games and averaging 24.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 34.5 minutes per game. On December 17, 2021, he signed a 10-day contract with the Orlando Magic, and on January 4, 2022, he was reacquired and activated by Lakeland. On April 6, 2022, he signed with Coosur Real Betis of the Spanish Liga ACB. In June 2026, Johnson signed with the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters as the team's import for the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.
Reader's Guide
Robert Johnson Jr. is a guard/forward known for his scoring ability and rebounding. In his NBA debut with the Atlanta Hawks on March 3, 2019, he scored 11 points on perfect 4-of-4 shooting, including 3-of-3 from three-point range, with 2 rebounds and a steal in 19 minutes. He played for the Hawks on two 10-day contracts in March 2019. He also played for the Sacramento Kings on a rest-of-season contract in April 2019. His most consistent professional success came in the NBA G League, where he was named to the All-NBA G League Second Team while with the Lakeland Magic in the 2019–20 season, averaging 22.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. He also played for the Long Island Nets in 2021, averaging 18.4 points per game. Internationally, he played for the Brisbane Bullets in Australia and Real Betis in Spain. In June 2026, he joined the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters of the PBA as an import for the Governors' Cup.
Did You Know?
- Robert Johnson Jr. scored 11 points in his NBA debut on March 3, 2019, shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from the field and 3-of-3 from three-point range.
- He is the son of Robert Johnson, who played basketball at La Salle University from 1986 to 1990.
- Johnson attended Lower Merion High School, the same alma mater as Kobe Bryant.
- He was named to the All-NBA G League Second Team after averaging 22.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game for the Lakeland Magic in 2019–20.
- Johnson graduated from La Salle with a degree in finance.