Blog

Dec 20, 2023

K.D., For (Year) 3

SG K.D. Johnson (Zach Bland/Auburn Athletics) Two summers ago, K.D. Johnson arrived at Auburn as part of a major backcourt overhaul in the transfer portal by Bruce Pearl . Now, Johnson is the lone

SG K.D. Johnson (Zach Bland/Auburn Athletics)

Two summers ago, K.D. Johnson arrived at Auburn as part of a major backcourt overhaul in the transfer portal by Bruce Pearl.

Now, Johnson is the lone survivor of that crew that helped the Tigers win the SEC title in 2022. Wendell Green Jr. went to the NBA and will be looking to stick with the Cleveland Cavaliers after the Summer League. Zep Jasper ended his lengthy collegiate career, now out of eligibility.

And, while he didn’t come in with them, Johnson has seen fellow guards Allen Flanigan and Chance Westry transfer out.

But Johnson is still on the Plains.

He currently finds himself in the middle of another renovation project at the guard spots by Pearl. Auburn brought in a highly touted scorer in FIU transfer Denver Jones, along with mid-major-to-JUCO sharpshooter Chad Baker-Mazara and versatile 3-or-4 Division II pickup Chaney Johnson.

Oh, yeah, and there’s Aden Holloway — only the second highest-rated signee in program history and an offensive machine at point guard. Considering the fact that Holloway sits directly between Jabari Smith and Sharife Cooper in the all-time signee rankings at Auburn, the ceiling is quite high for the McDonald’s All-American.

Johnson is a senior veteran in the middle of all that change, and he’s spent some time this summer being an incredible hype man for his new teammates.

Off the court, you know what you’re going to get from Johnson: A relentless competitor and fan-favorite who always has something to say about his team.

On the court, the Tigers would love to see the K.D. who finished this past season make a return this fall.

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