RELEASE: NC State Announces Diamond Johnson Signing
RALEIGH – The NC State women's basketball team has added Diamond Johnson to its roster, as announced by the program on Friday. Johnson is transferring from Rutgers where she just completed her freshman campaign. She will be immediately eligible to play for the Wolfpack beginning with the 2021-22 season.
A 5-5 guard, Johnson earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and the Second Team All-Big Ten following an impressive rookie campaign. She averaged 17.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 steals for the Scarlet Knights in 2020-21, earning the start in 15 of 19 games.
"Diamond Johnson is a point guard that can score the ball," said head coach Wes Moore. "As a 90 (FT%), 50 (FG%), 40 (3FG%) player a year ago, she's very efficient on the offensive end. Her ability to push the ball, stretch the defense and break down defenders sets up her teammates with scoring opportunities. She also makes plays on the defensive end of the court and on the boards. Bottom line, Diamond is a basketball player, and we're proud to have her join the Wolfpack family."
Johnson scored in double figures in 17 games in 2020-21, with seven of those outings marking 20+ point performances. She finished the year ranked seventh nationally in three-point field-goal percentage (.455) and averaged 2.6 threes per game. Johnson's numbers from downtown paced Rutgers squad last season.
The Philadelphia, Pa., native was ranked the No. 6 player in her class according to ESPN. Johnson was a two-time Gatorade Pennsylvania Girls Basketball Player of the Year, a Philadelphians All-American in 2020 and Philadelphia Sports Digest Player of the Decade in 2019. She was also the first woman to integrate a men's All-American game when she was selected to participate in the 24K Showcase at the 2020 Allen Iverson Roundball Classic. During her high school career, she averaged 30.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.8 steals in four years at Neumann Goretti High School.
In addition to Johnson and Madison Hayes transferring into the program, NC State is set to welcome a trio of newcomers in the 2021 freshman class. Aziaha James (5-9 guard), Sophie Hart (6-5 post) and Jessica Timmons (5-8 guard) are also set to join the Pack beginning with the 2021-22 campaign.