DJ's No.21 jersey to be retired in NBL24

Adelaide 36ers are honoured to announce Daniel Johnson will have his jersey retired during the NBL24 season.

Johnson played 366 of his 414 NBL games for the 36ers across a 13-year stint at the club and his No.21 jersey will hang proudly from the rafters at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

The seven-time Mark Davis Trophy winner as the club’s MVP and was a key component in the run to the 2014 and 2018 grand final series, said to have his jersey retired is a huge honour.

“I’d like to thank the 36ers organisation for deciding to retire my jersey,” Johnson said.

“To have my jersey hanging next to the legends of the club is something I’m very proud of.”

Johnson will not be part of the 36ers NBL24 roster and is intending to finish his career overseas.

“It’s bittersweet not being back with the team this season but I wish them all the best and I’m looking forward to the next stage of my basketball journey,” Johnson said.

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Adelaide 36ers owner and chairman Grant Kelley said Johnson, who was recruited from the Melbourne Tigers in 2010, is and always will be a legend of the club.

“This decision to retire his jersey was an easy one. DJ has been the face of the 36ers for over a decade and what he has done for this club and this city has been nothing short of phenomenal,” Kelley said.

“I personally want to thank DJ for everything he has done for the 36ers and the city of Adelaide.”

The 212cm forward/centre has scored 6160 points across his career to be the current active all-time leading scorer in the NBL, averaging 15.9 points per night while shooting 46.4 per cent from the field, 34.9 per cent from beyond the arc and 80 per cent from the free throw line.

Johnson is third all-time in games played for the club behind Brett Maher (524) and Mark Davis (481) and has hauled in the second most rebounds (2731) behind Davis and was the NBL leading rebounder twice in 2013 and 2016.

Named the 2012 NBL Most Improved Player, Johnson made the All-NBL First Team on three occasions (2014, 2017, 2018) and the All-NBL Second Team three times (2013, 2016, 2019).

The entire 36ers family would like to sincerely thank DJ for his time at the club and wish him, his wife Daniela and their children Judd and Cole all the best for their future endeavours.

DANIEL JOHNSON FACT FILE
Games: 414 (366 for 36ers)
Points: 6160
Rebounds: 2731
7x Mark Davis Trophy winner (36ers MVP)
3× All-NBL First Team (2014, 2017, 2018)
3× All-NBL Second Team (2013, 2016, 2019)
All-NBL Third Team (2012)
NBL Most Improved Player (2012)
NBL Rebounding Leader (2013, 2016)