Neil Johnston
Inducted:
1990
Player Stats
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
Born
February 4, 1929
Chillicothe, Ohio, U.S.
Died
September 28, 1978
Irving, Texas, U.S.
Position
Center
College
Ohio State (1946–1948)
Neil Johnston was one of the NBA’s dominant centers during the 1950s and a cornerstone of the early Philadelphia Warriors dynasty. Known for his soft shooting touch and trademark underhand scoop shot, Johnston led the NBA in scoring three consecutive seasons (1953–55). He also led the league in rebounding in 1955 and was a six-time All-Star.
Johnston played a key role in helping the Warriors capture the 1956 NBA Championship. Over his eight-season career, he averaged 19.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. Despite a relatively short career due to injury, Johnston’s dominance during his peak years secured his legacy as one of the early great NBA centers. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990.
Johnston's NBA Records
- NBA champion (1956)
- 6× NBA All-Star (1953–1958)
- 4× All-NBA First Team (1953–1956)
- All-NBA Second Team (1957)
- 3× NBA scoring champion (1953–1955)
- NBA rebounding leader (1955
NBA Teams
Philadelphia Warriors (1951–1959)
NBA Draft
1950: undrafted
Number Worn
6
NBA Stats
Seasons:
8 (1951-1959)
Game played:
516
Points:
10,023 (19.4 ppg)
Rebounds:
5,856 (11.3 rpg)
Assists:
1,269 (2.5 apg)
Field Goal(%):
44.4
Free Throw(%):
76.8
Playoff Game:
23