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Syracuse Basketball: What’s former Orange star Wesley Johnson up to?

By Christopher Queripel

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 22: Wesley Johnson #33 of the LA Clippers reacts after hitting a three-point basket againt the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on November 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 22: Wesley Johnson #33 of the LA Clippers reacts after hitting a three-point basket againt the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on November 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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It’s time to check in on what former Syracuse basketball player, Wesley Johnson is up to in 2020. Here are all the details and some of the faces around him.

Just a decade ago, in 2010, Syracuse basketball was the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Ultimately the team lost in the Sweet 16, but the team was flooded with talent. But the best talent of them all was Wesley Johnson.

He had transferred from Iowa State and only played one season with ‘Cuse, but he made that season count. In his senior year, he led the team in scoring with an average of 16.5 points per game. Wes also added over eight boards a game.

His surge to help a top-ranked Syracuse basketball team boosted his draft stock as well. In the 2010 NBA Draft, Johnson was selected with the fourth overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Over the years in the league, Johnson made pit stops in six places before leaving the NBA. But in his nine-year career, Johnson did add some nice numbers. He averaged over seven points and three rebounds while splitting time between being a starter and a reserve in the league.

At the age of 31, he decided to leave the NBA, but that didn’t mean his basketball career was over.

In fact, he would join some stars and even a former teammate in a reunion.

Johnson signed a contract with Panathinaikos of the Euroleague in Greece. There Johnson reunited with Syracuse teammate Andy Rautins. Johnson and Rautins were the top two scorers for the 2009-10 Orange team that went deep in the tourney. Almost 10 years later, the Syracuse players reconnected in Greece to continue their professional careers.

Also on the roster is the Mountain West conference all-time leading scorer, Jimmer Fredette. And if that wasn’t enough star power, add in head coach Rick Pitino. Many Orange fans may know Pitino as the 16-year head coach for Louisville. He was the head coach for Kentucky and the Boston Celtics in his career as well. He even made a stop as an assistant with Syracuse in the 1970s.

Now let’s take a look at what Wes Johnson is doing on the floor for Panathinaikos BC:

  • 21 games played
  • 15 minutes played per game
  • 3.5 points per game
  • 2.3 rebounds per game
  • 52% from the two-point range

Next. Syracuse Basketball: Top 30 Players in School History. dark

Johnson’s team is first in the Greek League with a 15-2 record. Their next matchup will be against Valencia Basket on Friday. Wesley’s career has taken him from Iowa State to Syracuse. Then his post-college career brought him to his nine-year NBA journey. Now he is making his name known in Greece.

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