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Akron basketball is back in March Madness. What to know about Zips star guard Nate Johnson
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- Akron basketball is back in March Madness. What to know about Zips star guard Nate Johnson
University of Akron guard Nate Johnson added to the roster of UA players who've won Mid-American Conference Player of the Year honors, becoming the second consecutive Zip to garner that honor, lead his team to a conference championship and the NCAA Tournament.
The Zips will face Arizona in their opening round game, hoping to become the first UA team to win one in the tournament. Tipoff is set for 7:35 p.m. Friday.
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Johnson held 13 Division I offers coming out of Lakota East High School in Liberty Twp. in Southwestern Ohio.
Because his offers came during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was unable to take any official visits and "interviewed" with the Zips via video conference. Here are a few things to know about Johnson:
Winning Player of the Year honors is like second nature to Nate Johnson
Johnson was named Greater Miami Conference Athlete of the Year, first team All-GMC and second team All-Ohio during his junior year at Lakota East.
He earned Player of the Year honors in the Mid-American Conference this season.
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Nate Johnson stats
For the Zips this season, Johnson averaged 14 points, five rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He started 33 of 34 games played.
Nate Johnson adds regional award to his list of honors
Johnson not only received MAC Defensive and Player of the Year honors this season, but the National Association of Basketball Coaches selected him East District all-NABC team earlier this week.
Nate Johnson joined an exclusive club with his Mid-American Conference awards haul
Akron Zips guard Nate Johnson (34) drives to the basket for a layup against Miami during the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game March 15, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Johnson became the first player since Ball State's Bonzi Wells to be named Conference Player of the Year and Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
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Wells went on to play 10 seasons in the NBA, spending the bulk of that time (six seasons) with the Portland Trail Blazers .
Nate Johnson could return to the Akron Zips
Johnson's collegiate career may not be over.
He is a redshirt junior this season, and if he chooses to do so he can return to the Zips for a senior year. UA currently has 17 players listed on its roster, and only five of them are seniors.
The opportunity to run it back could prove tempting.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Nate Johnson leads Akron Zips vs Arizona. What to know about the guard
