Jalen Johnson
A versatile forward who emerged as a breakout star and All-Star for the Hawks.
Jalen Tyrese Johnson (born December 18, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), with whom he has been selected to one All-Star game to date. He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils. Johnson was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the best forwards in the 2020 class. He finished his high school career at Nicolet High School in Glendale, Wisconsin.
- Role
- Forward / Playmaker
- Affiliation
- Atlanta Hawks
- Position
- Small Forward / Power Forward
- Status
- Active Roster Member
- Draft Year
- 2021
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Johnson's path to the NBA included stops at multiple high schools. He played his first two years at Sun Prairie High School in Wisconsin, then transferred to Nicolet High School, where he helped lead the team to a Division 2 State Championship and was named the Associated Press Player of the Year for Wisconsin. He spent time at IMG Academy before returning to Nicolet for his senior season, averaging 24.6 points, 10.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 9 games. Rated a five-star recruit and the No. 13 overall recruit in the 2020 class, he committed to Duke on July 4, 2019. In 13 games as a Blue Devil, he averaged 11.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game before forgoing the remainder of Duke's season to prepare for the 2021 NBA draft. The Hawks selected him with the 20th pick in the 2021 NBA draft.
In Their Own Story
On November 13, 2025, Johnson recorded 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists, seven steals and four three-pointers in a 132–122 win over the Utah Jazz, becoming the first player in NBA history to record 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists, and seven steals in a single game. On November 30, he notched a then career-high 41 points, along with 14 rebounds and seven assists in a 142–134 double overtime victory against the Philadelphia 76ers. On December 5, he recorded the fastest triple-double in Hawks franchise history and the second-fastest in NBA history against the Denver Nuggets. On December 18, he scored a career-high 43 points, nearly posting a triple-double with 11 rebounds and 9 assists in a 133–126 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. On January 31, 2026, he put up his eighth triple-double of the season, setting the record for the most triple-doubles in a single season in Hawks franchise history. On February 1, he was named to his first All-Star Game as a Eastern Conference reserve. He finished the regular season with 13 triple-doubles and was named to the All-NBA Third Team.
Reader's Guide
Jalen Johnson serves as a forward and playmaker for the Atlanta Hawks. In the 2023–24 season, he set then-career highs with averages of 16.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while starting 52 of 56 games. On April 4, 2024, he recorded his first career triple-double with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 121–113 win over the Detroit Pistons. In his fourth season (2024–25), he averaged career highs of 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, along with 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks in 36 games, before his season was cut short on January 29, 2025, due to shoulder surgery. On October 21, 2024, he agreed to a five-year, $150 million contract extension. In the 2025–26 season, he was named to his first All-Star Game and earned All-NBA Third Team honors. The Hawks finished with a 46–36 record and the sixth seed, losing to the New York Knicks in six games in the first round of the playoffs.
Did You Know?
- Johnson became the first player in NBA history to record 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists, and seven steals in a single game, doing so on November 13, 2025 against the Utah Jazz.
- On December 5, 2025, Johnson recorded the fastest triple-double in Hawks franchise history and the second-fastest in NBA history against the Denver Nuggets.
- Johnson set the Hawks franchise record for most triple-doubles in a single season with eight on January 31, 2026, and finished the regular season with 13 triple-doubles.
- Johnson was selected to his first All-Star Game on February 1, 2026 as a Eastern Conference reserve.
- His father played college basketball at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and Southeast Missouri State University before playing professionally for two years in Poland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jalen Johnson?
Jalen Johnson is an active forward for the Atlanta Hawks who represents a pivotal evolution in the team's modern identity. Selected as part of their recent draft strategy, he has quickly become a cornerstone of the franchise moving forward.
What positions does Jalen Johnson play?
He primarily lines up at Small Forward or Power Forward, offering the flexibility to guard multiple opponent types. This positional versatility allows the roster to adapt fluidly without sacrificing defensive structure.
What role does Jalen Johnson fill on the court?
Serving as a versatile playmaker and rebounder, he bridges the gap between traditional forward duties and modern ball-handling skills. He drives transition offense while providing essential defensive grit for the unit.
Why is Jalen Johnson important to the Hawks' future?
Johnson embodies the 'Swiss Army Knife' archetype that enables the team to maintain integrity across various lineup configurations. His development signals a stable foundation for Atlanta's long-term competitive goals.
How did Jalen Johnson join the Atlanta Hawks?
He was acquired through the 2021 NBA Draft, marking a key selection in the organization's rebuilding phase. Since joining the active roster, he has established himself as a vital component of their system.