Samson Johnson is officially heading to the Portland Trail Blazers, a move that reunites him with former UConn teammate Donovan Clingan and instantly amps up Rip City’s G League roster. Johnson’s RBA Showcase agency dropped the news on Monday via social media, with the big man himself confirming it on his Instagram story. This isn’t just another signing, folks, this is a legitimate talent joining the G-League squad that could make some serious noise.
The Big Man Is Back in the Pacific Northwest
Portland’s G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix, had already locked up Johnson’s player rights on Friday through a trade with the Noblesville Boom. To get their hands on him, the Remix sent Andrew Carr, Jamiya Neal, and a 2027 second-round draft pick to Noblesville. That’s a solid investment for a 6-foot-10 center who put up some eye-popping numbers. Johnson wasn’t picked in the 2025 NBA Draft after four years at UConn. He even had a brief stint with the Indiana Pacers, signing an Exhibit 10 contract in June only to be waived four months later, landing him with Noblesville, the Pacers’ G League affiliate. But don’t let that fool you, this dude can play!
From Togo to UConn Dominance and G League Scoring
Last season, Johnson was practically automatic at the rim for the Boom, posting an incredible 70.3 field-goal percentage. That wasn’t just good, it led *all* G League players who hit the minimum 30 games played. He also averaged 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, showing he can contribute all over. His journey to this point is something else too, coming all the way from Togo, making stops in Senegal, Florida, and New Jersey, even teaming up with fellow West African native Adama Sanogo at The Patrick School. He committed to UConn in November 2020 during that wild virtual recruitment era, joining Rahsool Diggins and Jordan Hawkins in the 2021 class. After playing sparingly in his first two seasons, including their 2023 national championship run, Johnson stepped up as Clingan’s backup when UConn defended their NCAA Tournament title. By his senior year, he was a starter for the Huskies, though he split minutes with Michigan transfer Tarris Reed Jr.
Even with a rough 2024-25 season for UConn, Johnson still set the program’s all-time wins record in March when the Huskies outlasted Oklahoma in the NCAA Tournament First Round. He was a force, leading the Big East in offensive rating and ranking in the top five for offensive rebounding rate, block percentage, and field-goal percentage. Yeah, he struggled with fouling sometimes, but the talent is undeniable.
This is a big pickup for Rip City Remix. With Johnson reuniting with Clingan, who was drafted No. 7 overall and has become a premier rebounder, the Blazers organization just got a whole lot more interesting in their development ranks. Keep an eye on the G League, because Johnson is looking to show everyone what he’s capable of.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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