Johnson Prepares for NBA Pre-Draft Combine
 
LOS ANGELES – From his training camp here Friday, Missouri State senior Alize Johnson (F, Williamsport, Pa.) says the coming weeks are the culmination of a lot of hard work and preparation for a career in professional basketball.
 
Johnson, who was an All-MVC first-team selection in 2018 for the second straight season, is training for the NBA Combine at Sports Academy in LA. With the likes of Wichita State's Landry Shamet pushing him every day, Johnson explained he can't wait for the opportunity to showcase his talents on the national stage.
 
"I got the email last week, and I'm very excited because I know how hard I work, and this is the next step to get to the next level," he said. "I am really excited to show off my abilities and hopefully turn some heads."
 
Last summer, Johnson was an overnight sensation at the Adidas Nations event in Houston, ultimately earning most-valuable player honors there during the college showcase.
 
The NBA Combine, a multi-day showcase for potential NBA draft picks, runs May 16-20 in Chicago. At the combine, the nation's top college basketball players are measured, interviewed and undergo medical tests, in addition to athletic skill and shooting tests. NBA coaches, general managers, and scouts attend the event in advance of the one-day draft on June 21. Typically, around 60 players participate in the combine.
 
As a senior, Johnson finished second in the MVC Player of the Year voting and led the Missouri Valley in rebounding for the second straight season with 11.6 per game. He also led the Bears in scoring (15.0) and assists (94) with 20 double-doubles and was second nationally in defensive rebounds per game (8.48).
 
He also ranked fifth nationally in total rebounds per game, sixth in total rebounds (384), eighth in double-doubles and 31^st in offensive rebounds per game (3.15). Johnson finished 29^th on MSU's career scoring list -- with 982 points in two seasons – and sixth on the club's career rebounding chart (735).
 
More than 50 NBA scouts and front office personnel attended MSU games in Springfield this season to scout Johnson, who says MSU fans help keep him motivated to succeed.
 
"I thank the Missouri State fans for their support and being there for me in everything – on and off the court," Johnson said. "They helped me understand that people are great everywhere, and (MSU) really had the same feel as home to me. The fans have been a huge part of my success, and I'll work hard for them as I go through this next phase of my career."