No.21 to be forever immortalised

When Daniel Johnson signed with the Adelaide 36ers before the 2010/11 NBL season, he thought it was going to be a pit stop in his career.

But after 13 seasons playing in the City of Churches, Johnson’s no.21 will be the fifth jersey to hang from the Adelaide Entertainment Centre rafters.

Johnson will join Darryl Pearce (no.4), Brett Maher (no.5), Al Green (no.15) and Mark Davis (no.33) with his no.21 to be immortalised next Monday night.

The seven-time club MVP-winner said the offer to have his jersey retired came from Executive Chairman Grant Kelley at lunch during last season.

“Grant put the idea to me, and I took time to process it since everything has finished,” Johnson said this week.

“It’s special, not just for me, but for my family as well, for them to be able to share in this as well.

“Giving them something special to look at it in the future will be a proud moment.

“This let’s you remember all the good stuff that’s happened.

“I’m just going to take it in and enjoy it, it’s a nice ending to it all.”

READ MORE

• ROAD DIARY: Daniel Johnson 
• Johnson's No.21 to be retired
• MATCH WRAP: Dynamic duo shine as 36ers defeat United
• MATCH PREVIEW: DJ says 36ers must continue to rise
• Statement Jerseys to make home debut

NUMBERS GAME
Johnson said the history of why he wore the no.21 throughout his entire Adelaide 36ers career goes back to his time in Canberra.

The third all-time leading games played record holder at the 36ers spent two years at the Australian Institute of Sport before going to Pepperdine University.

“I got given it (no.21) at the AIS and it has stuck with me since then,” Johnson said.

“It’s not an exciting story, but that’s what happened.

“When I got to Adelaide it was available, so I kept rolling with it.”

THE MOMENT
The 417-game NBL legend says he hasn’t really thought about when his jersey does come down pre-game next Monday night.

Johnson said he is looking forward to celebrating his career with the people who have supported his entire journey.

“The most important thing is going to see all the people there (at the game), to have my parents there, friends and family, to see them enjoy it as well is the main thing,” Johnson said.

“I’ll get the most out of seeing them enjoy the moment, it’s a special thing.

“To be able to see my kids grow up and see me up there is going to be pretty special.

“It’s one of those things that’s going to make you proud every time you see it.”

ADELAIDE ARRIVAL
Johnson started his NBL journey in Melbourne, playing for the Tigers in 2007/08 and 2008/09 before making the move to Adelaide.

Then 36ers head coach Marty Clarke persuaded Johnson to come to Adelaide for a bigger role and greater opportunities.

“Adelaide came pretty strong for me during free agency and I had played for Marty (Clarke) at the Institute (AIS),” Johnson said.

“I wanted someone who was going to be hard on me and push me and I got that with him (Clarke) and Mark Radford for three years, which really helped me along.”

Johnson said he didn’t think he would be in a 36ers for too long, but during his first contract in Adelaide he met his now wife Daniela, and the rest is history.

“I thought Adelaide was going to be a pit stop to be honest,” he said.

“I’m a Perth boy and wanted to be home with family, but I met my wife and everything sort of changed pretty quickly for me.

“Adelaide is home, things have worked out well. I love the city.”

SIXERS STORYLINE
After spending 13 seasons in Adelaide, Johnson said there a numerous highlights along the journey, but not tasting the ultimate success will always be disappointing.

“The grand finals we played in were pretty special, even though we didn’t win them,” Johnson said, who was part of the 2014 and 2018 36ers grand final sides.

“The noise I remember that you use to hear, especially winning that game four (in 2018).”

Johnson sealed the game four win with a trade mark three-pointer from the baseline corner, which brought the Adelaide 36ers Arena to fever pitch.

“That shot was very emotional, that was a pretty special group.

“To get that close and it’s unfortunate we didn’t get the result, those guys deserved a championship.”
 

MATES & THE MURAL
Johnson said he can’t highlight his favourite teammate, as there were too many across his career in Adelaide, and it was life after basketball which will reap the rewards.

“To have a lot of teammates become lifelong friends which is all you can ask for,” Johnson said.

“The people you get to meet was pretty special.”

He did say most of his mates have made mention of his mural, which covers an entire side of a building in the Entertainment Centre car park.

“I am a fan of it (the mural), a lot of people have commented to me about it,” he said.

“I’m just glad after all these years it hasn’t been vandalised.

“That’s just another thing to show and tell the kids when they’re older.”

LEGEND FOREVER
When you think of club legends at the Adelaide 36ers, Brett Maher, Mark Davis, Al Green and Daryl Pearce come to mind straight away, and Johnson is now in the conversation.

“To be in this league for this long is something I’m grateful for,” Johnson said.

In 2021, Johnson moved up to third spot as the most games played for the 36ers behind Maher (524) and Davis (481) and now will become the fifth player to have their jersey retired next Monday night.

“It’s nice to be recognised and I’m just being consistent every year and do my job,” he said.

“I’d like to thank the entire 36ers organisation. To have my jersey hanging next to the legends of the club is something of which I’m very proud.”

Johnson 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 awards and the statistics will always be there, but the impact Johnson has had on a basketball generation in South Australia will never be forgotten.