William Johnson
Inducted:
1977
Player Stats
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Born
August 16, 1911
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died
February 5, 1980
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Position
Center
College
Kansas (1930–1933)
William "Skinny" Johnson was a dominant force of the 1930s and one of the first truly athletic "big men" in basketball history. Standing 6'4" at a time when such height was immense, Johnson was a three-year standout at the University of Kansas under the legendary Phog Allen. His professional-caliber impact was felt in the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), which served as the premier competitive circuit of his era.
Playing for the Southern Kansas Stage Lines, he led his team to an AAU National Championship in 1935. Known for his incredible leaping ability and defensive range, Johnson was the anchor of three consecutive Big Six Conference title teams. For his early dominance and role in establishing Kansas as a national powerhouse, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1977.
Johnson's Awards & Honor
- AAU National champion (1935)
- First-team All-American – College Humor (1933)
- 2× First-team All-Big Six (1932, 1933)
- 33 jersey retired by Kansas Jayhawks
- Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
NBA Teams
Kansas (1930–1933)
Number Worn
33
NBA Stats
AAU National Championships:
1 (1935)
Big Six Conference Titles:
3 (1931, 1932, 1933)
Collegiate Record:
Led Kansas to a 41–12 record over three seasons