TY Johnson Named to All-Big West First Team
Mar 18, 2025 10:35AM ● By University of California Davis News Release
UC
Davis senior guard TY Johnson was named to the All-Big West First Team on
March 11. Photo courtesy of UC Davis Athletics
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – The University of California (UC), Davis senior guard TY Johnson, one of the most dynamic two-way players in college basketball, was named to the All-Big West First Team on Tuesday, March 11, as announced by the conference.
Johnson's selection marks the fourth consecutive year the Aggies have placed a player on the First Team. A model of consistency, Johnson has earned conference recognition in each of his three seasons at UC Davis: an Honorable Mention in his debut 2022-23 campaign, a Second Team nod in 2023-24 and now a First Team honor in 2024-25.
The Chicago native has been the cornerstone of the Aggies' success this season, starting all 31 games while averaging 21.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game. Johnson has led UC Davis in assists 15 times this season and recorded three or more steals in 12 games, including a season-high six in a record-breaking performance against Cal Poly, where the Aggies forced 33 turnovers—the most in program history.
Johnson's statistical profile this season places him in elite company, as he is the first qualified player since Vanderbilt's Scotty Pippen Jr. in 2021-22 to rank in the 99th percentile in points per 40 minutes while also ranking in the 95th percentile or higher in steals per 40 minutes.
Johnson burst onto the national scene early this season, leading the country in scoring at one point and earning a spot on the "Early Season" watch list for the Lou Henson Award, which honors the top mid-major player in college basketball. His 21.2 points per game currently rank sixth nationally, and he has scored in double figures in 29 games, including 21 performances with 20 or more points and five games with 30 or more.
Defensively, Johnson has been equally impactful, ranking 10th nationally in total steals (72) and 15th in steals per game (2.3), both of which are second among Big West leaders.
Johnson solidified himself as the conference's premier two-way standout, slotting in as the only player in the Big West this season to rank inside the top five in both points per game and steals per game.
Johnson notably opened the season with a career-high 35 points against Washington, followed by a 30-point outing against Idaho. Those efforts earned him Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week honors, one of the most prestigious weekly awards in college basketball.
In Big West play, Johnson elevated his game even further, averaging 21.8 points per game. He matched his career-high with another 35-point performance at UC Santa Barbara on Jan. 18 and dropped 33 points against Long Beach State on Feb. 6.
His was recognized throughout conference play twice with Big West Player of the Week honors this season, bringing his career total to three.
Johnson also has etched his name throughout the UC Davis record books this season. He currently ranks fourth in program history in scoring (1,686 points, including 1,675 at UC Davis) and is one of only 26 Aggies to reach 1,000 career points. He needs just 19 points to tie for third all-time.
Defensively, Johnson is second in career steals at UC Davis and holds the program's Division I single-season record with 72 steals and counting this year. He also set a single-game program record with 18 free throws made against Long Beach State on Jan. 11, breaking the previous mark of 17 held by Fowzi Abdelsamad. Additionally, Johnson now holds every UC Davis free throw record, including most in a single season (175 and counting) and most in a career (464).
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – The University of California (UC), Davis senior guard TY Johnson, one of the most dynamic two-way players in college basketball, was named to the All-Big West First Team on Tuesday, March 11, as announced by the conference.
Johnson's selection marks the fourth consecutive year the Aggies have placed a player on the First Team. A model of consistency, Johnson has earned conference recognition in each of his three seasons at UC Davis: an Honorable Mention in his debut 2022-23 campaign, a Second Team nod in 2023-24 and now a First Team honor in 2024-25.
The Chicago native has been the cornerstone of the Aggies' success this season, starting all 31 games while averaging 21.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game. Johnson has led UC Davis in assists 15 times this season and recorded three or more steals in 12 games, including a season-high six in a record-breaking performance against Cal Poly, where the Aggies forced 33 turnovers—the most in program history.
Johnson's statistical profile this season places him in elite company, as he is the first qualified player since Vanderbilt's Scotty Pippen Jr. in 2021-22 to rank in the 99th percentile in points per 40 minutes while also ranking in the 95th percentile or higher in steals per 40 minutes.
Johnson burst onto the national scene early this season, leading the country in scoring at one point and earning a spot on the "Early Season" watch list for the Lou Henson Award, which honors the top mid-major player in college basketball. His 21.2 points per game currently rank sixth nationally, and he has scored in double figures in 29 games, including 21 performances with 20 or more points and five games with 30 or more.
Defensively, Johnson has been equally impactful, ranking 10th nationally in total steals (72) and 15th in steals per game (2.3), both of which are second among Big West leaders.
Johnson solidified himself as the conference's premier two-way standout, slotting in as the only player in the Big West this season to rank inside the top five in both points per game and steals per game.
Johnson notably opened the season with a career-high 35 points against Washington, followed by a 30-point outing against Idaho. Those efforts earned him Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week honors, one of the most prestigious weekly awards in college basketball.
In Big West play, Johnson elevated his game even further, averaging 21.8 points per game. He matched his career-high with another 35-point performance at UC Santa Barbara on Jan. 18 and dropped 33 points against Long Beach State on Feb. 6.
His was recognized throughout conference play twice with Big West Player of the Week honors this season, bringing his career total to three.
Johnson also has etched his name throughout the UC Davis record books this season. He currently ranks fourth in program history in scoring (1,686 points, including 1,675 at UC Davis) and is one of only 26 Aggies to reach 1,000 career points. He needs just 19 points to tie for third all-time.
Defensively, Johnson is second in career steals at UC Davis and holds the program's Division I single-season record with 72 steals and counting this year. He also set a single-game program record with 18 free throws made against Long Beach State on Jan. 11, breaking the previous mark of 17 held by Fowzi Abdelsamad. Additionally, Johnson now holds every UC Davis free throw record, including most in a single season (175 and counting) and most in a career (464).
