Daniel Johnson (basketball)

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Daniel Geoffrey Craig Johnson (born 3 April 1988) is an Australian basketball player who currently plays for the Forestville Eagles in the NBL1 Central. He is a 212 cm (6 ft 11 in) center/power forward.

Early life and education
Johnson was born in Carnarvon, Western Australia, and grew up in Perth. He attended Willetton Senior High School, played for the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in 2006–07, and spent the 2007–08 season at Pepperdine University in the United States before returning to Australia.

Professional career
Johnson made his NBL debut in 2008 with the Melbourne Tigers, then moved to the Adelaide 36ers in 2010, where he spent the majority of his career. He has also played for clubs overseas in Poland, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, Iran, Argentina, and Japan, and has had numerous stints in Australia’s state leagues (Big V and SBL/NBL1 Central) with teams including Willetton, South Adelaide Panthers, West Adelaide Bearcats, Sturt Sabres, and Forestville Eagles. In 2023 he briefly joined the South East Melbourne Phoenix as an injury replacement.

NBL highlights and awards
- 3× All-NBL First Team (2014, 2017, 2018)
- 3× All-NBL Second Team (2013, 2016, 2019)
- 1× All-NBL Third Team (2012)
- NBL Most Improved Player (2012)
- Led the NBL in rebounds twice (2013, 2016)
- No. 21 retired by the Adelaide 36ers
- Key contributor to Adelaide’s strong runs in the 2010s, including Grand Final appearances and multiple club MVP recognitions
- Notable personal records: NBL career high 38 points (2020)

Recent years and records
In 2019 Johnson played his 250th game for the 36ers and his 300th in the NBL. He extended his contract with the 36ers to the 2022–23 season, served as co-captain in 2020–21, and reached 350 career NBL games that season while averaging a career-high 19.5 points per game and earning Club MVP honors. He later posted his seventh Club MVP award in 2021–22 and reached his 400th NBL game in December 2022 before parting ways with the 36ers after the 2022–23 season. In November 2023 he joined the South East Melbourne Phoenix as an injury replacement, but left in December after Gak’s return. He returned to Australia and rejoined Forestville Eagles in 2024. In 2025 he was named to the NBL1 Central All-Star Five.

International play
Johnson has represented Australia at the senior level, making his Boomers debut in 2019 during World Cup qualifiers. He has also had success in 3x3 basketball, helping Australia win gold at the 2022 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup, earning silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, silver again at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup (with all-tournament honors), and competing in the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup.