Wesley Johnson Settles Into New Role

AMES, Iowa--There is a different Wesley Johnson on the basketball court this season. Last year, Johnson caught the Big 12 world by storm by forging one of the best rookie seasons in the conference. Johnson earned Big 12 all-rookie honors after averaging 12.3 points and ranking third in the league in rebounding at 7.9 rpg. At 6-7, 195 pounds, Johnson was forced to play at the four spot, mixing it up with a much bigger opponent every game, making his stats even more impressive.

The Corisicana, Texas, native is now getting more comfortable playing on the perimeter in his second season in a Cyclone uniform. Despite starting the season with a nagging bone bruise in his foot that caused him to miss four games and slowing his progress, Johnson is just beginning to show Cyclone fans his unlimited potential at one of the wing spots.

“The injury did affect me,” Johnson said. “I was not strong jumping off the injured leg and getting the explosion I was used to getting. I was really hesitant. Now I am feeling better and getting used to jumping with confidence. It took a toll on me mentally because I was not able to go in there and get rebounds like I did last year.”

“It has been different moving out to the wing because I am doing more ballhandling and reading screens,” Johnson added. “Last year I was setting more screens and now I am receiving the screens.”

Johnson has unveiled an improved sweet-shooting outside stroke that has given ISU a much-needed offensive weapon. In just 11 games this year, Johnson is leading the team in scoring at 12.6 ppg. With his tremendous athleticism, length and size, it makes it extremely difficult to defend his shot when he is in rhythm.

“When I went over and played in Australia this summer I got the chance to play at the one and two spots, so it helped me get comfortable and prepared for this year,” Johnson said. “I got to shoot a lot more on the perimeter and when I came back I really practiced and focused on my jumpshot. This year, I am really working hard on coming off screens and looking to shoot.”

Johnson already has 21 3-pointers this season and has drilled 12 treys in his last four games. Fans saw a glimpse of his effectiveness in the Albany game when he scored 15 points on five-straight possessions in a 3-minute span behind a barrage of four long-range bombs. You would describe the display as being “in the zone,” and it is something Johnson and Cyclone fans are hoping to witness more often as the tough Big 12 Conference season rears its head.

“I am really excited about starting the Big 12 season,” Johnson said. “It is my second go around and I am telling the young guys like Craig (Brackins) and DG (Diante Garrett) how tough it is going to be. It is really intense and whatever you do you have to be able to zone out the crowd noise and focus on the task at hand.”

Wesley Johnson Settles Into New Role

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Diante Garrett

Wesley Johnson

Wesley Johnson

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Wesley Johnson Settles Into New Role

Players Mentioned

Diante Garrett

Wesley Johnson

Wesley Johnson

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