Northwest Notes June 14, 2025
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 1 year, 2 months AGO
Orlando Johnson joins WSU men's basketball program as GM, assistant coach
PULLMAN — Former NBA player and college standout Orlando Johnson joined the Washington State men’s basketball staff as the Cougars' general manager and assistant coach, WSU head coach David Riley announced Friday.
Johnson lands in Pullman after a 12-year professional career spanning around the globe, including the NBA, European leagues, Australia, and Asian leagues. Taking on responsibilities in team management and player development, Johnson’s arrival at WSU marks his coaching debut.
Johnson and Riley grew up playing in the same California youth basketball scene, competing together as teammates at West Valley Basketball Club before Johnson attended Loyola Marymount and UC Santa Barbara from 2007 to 2012.
A Seaside, Calif., native, Johnson graduated from UCSB as a three-time All-Big West First Team selection, a three-time Mid-Major All-American, and the Gauchos' record holder in career scoring, single-season points and single-game points.
Johnson was selected in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings, before being traded to the Indiana Pacers where he spent two seasons. The shooting guard bounced between the Pacers and assignments in the NBA Development League before moving overseas in 2014 to the Spanish league and played another 10 years across the globe, including returning to the U.S., the Philippines, China, Russia, Lebanon, Bosnia, Taiwan, Australia, and Mongolia.