Mercer Inks Jalen Johnson
5/17/2021 3:54:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Johnson spent the 2020-21 season at Wake Forest.
MACON, Ga. – Jalen Johnson became the fourth student-athlete to sign with the Mercer men's basketball program for the upcoming 2021-22 season, the staff announced on Monday afternoon.
Johnson joins the Bears after successful stints with the Tennessee Volunteers (2016-20) and Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2020-21). The six-foot-six guard hails from Durham, N.C.
"Jalen knows what it takes to be successful at the Division I level," said head coach Greg Gary. "He played at a high level at both Tennessee and Wake Forest and is someone who has a lot of versatility in his game. Jalen has a great work ethic and is constantly working on his game. He shoots the ball at a high percentage and gets his teammates involved. We are excited that he is a Bear."
Johnson spent one season with the Demon Deacons, appearing in 21 contests and averaging 5.0 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. In his Wake Forest debut, he contributed 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting and 4-of-6 from three-point range. He also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out two assists.
The dynamic guard also contributed 11 points at home against Louisville and 10 when the Demon Deacons battled Pittsburg. Johnson closed the month of January with a season-high 15 points against the Miami Hurricanes in 23 minutes. He knocked down 5-of-10 shots and made three three-pointers.
Prior to Wake Forest, Johnson was a member of the men's basketball team at the University of Tennessee. He redshirted in 2016-17 and played in 13 games off the bench the next season, including the team's NCAA Tournament first round win over Wright State. The following season, Johnson doubled his appearances, playing 26 games and shooting an impressive 48 percent from the floor and 45 percent from beyond the arc. Johnson made 14 field goals and was successful nine times from three-point range. He posted six points, all off three-pointers, and added two helpers against Wake Forest (Dec. 22, 2018).
Johnson came into his own as a junior, appearing in 31 games with two starts. He saw his playing time increase to nearly 16 minutes per game and averaged 3.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. Johnson was efficient at the free throw line, connecting on 85 percent of his tries. He reached double figures for the first time in his UT career on Jan. 7, 2020, at Missouri. He scored 11 points and grabbed two boards, going 3-of-5 from downtown and 2-of-2 at the charity stripe. At Mississippi State on Feb. 1, 2020, Johnson posted a Tennessee career-high 13 points in 29 minutes. He knocked down four shots, including three three-pointers and also made both of his free throw attempts. In addition to his scoring, he dished out a career-high five assists and had four steals.
The Durham N.C., native completed his bachelor's degree in Communication Studies in December 2019 and wore the "SEC Graduate" patch during conference season.
Johnson played high school basketball at Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point, N.C. for head coach Keith Gatlin. He led Wesleyan to a 20-9 record and state quarterfinals appearance as a senior. Johnson played three seasons on the Trojans' varsity squad and led them to a 73-23 record and two North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) 3A State Championships. Johnson played AAU hoops with Team Wall and was coached by Kendrick Williams.
He is the son of Nikki Berry and Brian Johnson and comes from an athletic family. His mother was a member of the North Carolina Tar Heels' track and field squad, and his father ran track at East Carolina from 1994-97. His father earned all-american honors in the 4x100-meter relay as a sophomore.
Johnson is the fourth member of the Bears' recruiting class, joining Quay Primas (Macon, Ga. / Central High School), Javian Mosley (Macon, Ga. / Westside High School / Florida State University Schools) and Shawn Walker Jr. (Elizabeth City, N.C. / George Washington University / Tallahassee Community College). Â
HOW TO FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of Mercer Basketball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerMBB (Twitter), /MercerBasketball (Facebook) and @Mercer_MBB (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
Johnson joins the Bears after successful stints with the Tennessee Volunteers (2016-20) and Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2020-21). The six-foot-six guard hails from Durham, N.C.
"Jalen knows what it takes to be successful at the Division I level," said head coach Greg Gary. "He played at a high level at both Tennessee and Wake Forest and is someone who has a lot of versatility in his game. Jalen has a great work ethic and is constantly working on his game. He shoots the ball at a high percentage and gets his teammates involved. We are excited that he is a Bear."
Johnson spent one season with the Demon Deacons, appearing in 21 contests and averaging 5.0 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. In his Wake Forest debut, he contributed 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting and 4-of-6 from three-point range. He also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out two assists.
The dynamic guard also contributed 11 points at home against Louisville and 10 when the Demon Deacons battled Pittsburg. Johnson closed the month of January with a season-high 15 points against the Miami Hurricanes in 23 minutes. He knocked down 5-of-10 shots and made three three-pointers.
Prior to Wake Forest, Johnson was a member of the men's basketball team at the University of Tennessee. He redshirted in 2016-17 and played in 13 games off the bench the next season, including the team's NCAA Tournament first round win over Wright State. The following season, Johnson doubled his appearances, playing 26 games and shooting an impressive 48 percent from the floor and 45 percent from beyond the arc. Johnson made 14 field goals and was successful nine times from three-point range. He posted six points, all off three-pointers, and added two helpers against Wake Forest (Dec. 22, 2018).
Johnson came into his own as a junior, appearing in 31 games with two starts. He saw his playing time increase to nearly 16 minutes per game and averaged 3.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. Johnson was efficient at the free throw line, connecting on 85 percent of his tries. He reached double figures for the first time in his UT career on Jan. 7, 2020, at Missouri. He scored 11 points and grabbed two boards, going 3-of-5 from downtown and 2-of-2 at the charity stripe. At Mississippi State on Feb. 1, 2020, Johnson posted a Tennessee career-high 13 points in 29 minutes. He knocked down four shots, including three three-pointers and also made both of his free throw attempts. In addition to his scoring, he dished out a career-high five assists and had four steals.
The Durham N.C., native completed his bachelor's degree in Communication Studies in December 2019 and wore the "SEC Graduate" patch during conference season.
Johnson played high school basketball at Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point, N.C. for head coach Keith Gatlin. He led Wesleyan to a 20-9 record and state quarterfinals appearance as a senior. Johnson played three seasons on the Trojans' varsity squad and led them to a 73-23 record and two North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) 3A State Championships. Johnson played AAU hoops with Team Wall and was coached by Kendrick Williams.
He is the son of Nikki Berry and Brian Johnson and comes from an athletic family. His mother was a member of the North Carolina Tar Heels' track and field squad, and his father ran track at East Carolina from 1994-97. His father earned all-american honors in the 4x100-meter relay as a sophomore.
Johnson is the fourth member of the Bears' recruiting class, joining Quay Primas (Macon, Ga. / Central High School), Javian Mosley (Macon, Ga. / Westside High School / Florida State University Schools) and Shawn Walker Jr. (Elizabeth City, N.C. / George Washington University / Tallahassee Community College). Â
HOW TO FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of Mercer Basketball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerMBB (Twitter), /MercerBasketball (Facebook) and @Mercer_MBB (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
Mercer v. Georgia Southern Men's Soccer Highlight Reel: 10/14/2025
Wednesday, October 15
Mercer 38 | Princeton 14 Post Game Press Conference (10.11.25)
Sunday, October 12
Mercer v. UNC Greensboro Women's Soccer Highlight Reel: 10/11/2025
Sunday, October 12
Mercer Football Press Conference (Week 7 vs Princeton)
Monday, October 06
