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Forward · 1974–75

Ollie Johnson

Temple produced this 6-foot-6 forward who carved out a full decade in the NBA, from 1972 to 1982, suiting up for Portland, the New Orleans Jazz, Kansas City, Atlanta, Chicago, and Philadelphia while averaging 7.7 points for his career. His Jazz season came in 1974-75, the franchise's very first year.

Johnson's second act stayed close to home and to sport: he became director of athletics at the Community College of Philadelphia, a post he held until his retirement in 2011.

HOW HE CAME & WENTThe Jazz took him from Portland in the 1974 expansion draft, and traded him with Rick Adelman to Kansas City for Nate Williams in February 1975.

New Orleans Jazz tenure
1974–75
Position
Forward
Born
1949, Chicago
Height
6′6″ (198 cm)
Weight
201 lb (91 kg)
College
Temple
Drafted
1972, 1st round, Portland
Signature in the archive 1975 Topps Card #51 Kansas City Kings PSA/DNA #83448375

No photograph of this signature is online yet.

With the Jazz

OLLIE JOHNSON · 1974–75 · PER GAME
SEASONTEAMGMPGPPGRPGAPGSPGBPGFG%3P%FT%
1974–75NOJ4327.07.94.11.91.00.5.465.805
JAZZ TOTAL1 SEASON4327.07.94.11.91.00.5.465.805

Season by season, regular season, with this franchise only. More info: Basketball-Reference ↗  ·  Wikipedia ↗

Did you know

OLLIE JOHNSON · 3 NOTES
  • Basketball-Reference notes he did not play basketball at South Philadelphia High, yet he still reached Temple and then the NBA.
  • Known as O.J., he lasted ten NBA seasons and 690 games with six clubs without ever becoming a household name.
  • He shot 49.6 percent from the field and 82.7 percent from the line, the quiet efficiency that keeps a man employed.