Friday, May 20, 2011

Bill Johnson signs with Professional Club in Costa Rica


From the official MIT Basketball Website

Former MIT men's basketball player and current assistant coach, Bill Johnson, recently signed a contract to play with ARBA-San Ramon, of the Costa Rican professional league, Liga Superior de Baloncesto. Johnson was also member of the Class of 2005 at Kamiak High School in Mukilteo, Wash., where he was a standout on the school's basketball team.

Johnson '10 joined the coaching staff at MIT following one of the most successful careers in Institute history. The two-time captain, who was part of three 20-win seasons, finished his career as the all-time wins leader in MIT history, the 23rd player to reach the 1,000-point milestone, and finished in the top 10 all-time in three-point percentage, free throw percentage, and blocked shots. Johnson was two-time conference Player of the Week, a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) All-Conference selection, and earned a spot in the NEBCA Division III All-Star Game in 2010. His 40 points versus Clark University on February 18, 2009 sits behind Jimmy Bartolotta '09 and David Koch '62 as the 3rd highest point total in a game in Institute history.

During Johnson's first season on the bench, the Cardinal and Gray recorded a third-straight 20-win season and captured its second NEWMAC title in three years. The Engineers advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament for the third year in a row, defeating Ithaca College in the first round and coming just one game short of the National Sweet 16.

Johnson graduated MIT with a degree in Management Science with a concentration in Finance, a degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Studies, as well as minors in Economics and Theater.

At Kamiak, Johnson was a team captain for the 2004-2005 Knights, along with All-WESCO selection Sean Hermes and former Montana State quarterback Mark Iddins, while helping lead the Mukilteo school to its first and only WESCO 4A Conference Championship and first State Playoff appearance in the school's history.

Johnson takes his talents to San Ramon, COSTA RICA, where he will help ARBA-San Ramon try to capture its first LBS Championship in team history. He also will be working with a non-profit organization, "Beyond Study Abroad," which connects college athletes with disadvantaged communities in the region.