University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Adds Ayianna Johnson to 2023-24 Signing Class
5/4/2023 9:53:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – University of Minnesota women's basketball head coach Dawn Plitzuweit has announced the addition of Ayianna 'AJ' Johnson for the 2023-24 season.
"Ayianna is dynamic in everything she does," Plitzuweit said. "She is a high-energy individual who has excelled in the classroom and in every sport she has been a part of, especially on the basketball court. She is an athletic post player who sprints the floor, rebounds outside of her area and is comfortable defending inside as well as on the perimeter. She is a player who is always in attack mode. Ayianna has also been able to celebrate some amazing feats with her involvement in track, wrestling, golf and she even played football earlier in her athletic career. We are super excited to welcome Ayianna and her family in our Gopher women's basketball family!"
Ayianna 'AJ' Johnson | Jefferson, Wis. | Jefferson High School
At 6-foot-3 Johnson joins the Maroon and Gold out of Jefferson, Wis., and Jefferson High School. She played for coach Dena Smith at Jefferson while her coach with Milwaukee 1on1 was Nikki Nellen. Johnson was a three-sport athlete in high school, participating in track and field and golf alongside her basketball career.
As a senior Johnson was a force for JHS with an average of 16.6 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. She led the Eagles to a 2023 WIAA Regional title. Johnson was named to the All-Rock Valley Conference First Team for the second straight year and was named an honorable mention All-State performer.
During her junior campaign Johnson was dominant for the Eagles. She averaged a double double at 17.8 points and 12.3 rebounds per contest while adding 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals. She was named to the honorable mention 2021-22 All-State team by the AP and WBCA, while also being named to the All-Rock Valley Conference First Team. Additionally Johnson was awarded the Jefferson girls basketball MVP as a junior.
Johnson's prep career began with her being named to the 2020-21 All-Rock Valley Conference Second Team on her way to helping the Eagles to the 2019-20 Rock Valley Conference and WIAA Regional title as a freshman. At the end of her rookie season at the high school level she was named to the All-Conference team as an honorable mention and was awarded as the school's Most Improved Player award in girls basketball.
At Jefferson High School Johnson has also been a stellar track and field athlete where she has competed in the discus, shot put and triple jump. She won the 2021-22 WIAA State Championship in the discus while also earning eight Rock Valley Conference titles, four regional and section titles in her first three seasons.
Ayianna is the daughter of Shana Johnson. Johnson joins five other incoming freshmen for the 2023-24 season which includes McKynnlie Dalan (Montesano, Wash.), Grace Grocholski (North Prairie, Wis.), Kennedy Klick (Brooklyn Park, Minn.), Ajok Madol (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) and Bynn Senden (Wayzata, Minn.).
For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@GopherWBB) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the offseason.
"Ayianna is dynamic in everything she does," Plitzuweit said. "She is a high-energy individual who has excelled in the classroom and in every sport she has been a part of, especially on the basketball court. She is an athletic post player who sprints the floor, rebounds outside of her area and is comfortable defending inside as well as on the perimeter. She is a player who is always in attack mode. Ayianna has also been able to celebrate some amazing feats with her involvement in track, wrestling, golf and she even played football earlier in her athletic career. We are super excited to welcome Ayianna and her family in our Gopher women's basketball family!"
Ayianna 'AJ' Johnson | Jefferson, Wis. | Jefferson High School
At 6-foot-3 Johnson joins the Maroon and Gold out of Jefferson, Wis., and Jefferson High School. She played for coach Dena Smith at Jefferson while her coach with Milwaukee 1on1 was Nikki Nellen. Johnson was a three-sport athlete in high school, participating in track and field and golf alongside her basketball career.
As a senior Johnson was a force for JHS with an average of 16.6 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. She led the Eagles to a 2023 WIAA Regional title. Johnson was named to the All-Rock Valley Conference First Team for the second straight year and was named an honorable mention All-State performer.
During her junior campaign Johnson was dominant for the Eagles. She averaged a double double at 17.8 points and 12.3 rebounds per contest while adding 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals. She was named to the honorable mention 2021-22 All-State team by the AP and WBCA, while also being named to the All-Rock Valley Conference First Team. Additionally Johnson was awarded the Jefferson girls basketball MVP as a junior.
Johnson's prep career began with her being named to the 2020-21 All-Rock Valley Conference Second Team on her way to helping the Eagles to the 2019-20 Rock Valley Conference and WIAA Regional title as a freshman. At the end of her rookie season at the high school level she was named to the All-Conference team as an honorable mention and was awarded as the school's Most Improved Player award in girls basketball.
At Jefferson High School Johnson has also been a stellar track and field athlete where she has competed in the discus, shot put and triple jump. She won the 2021-22 WIAA State Championship in the discus while also earning eight Rock Valley Conference titles, four regional and section titles in her first three seasons.
Ayianna is the daughter of Shana Johnson. Johnson joins five other incoming freshmen for the 2023-24 season which includes McKynnlie Dalan (Montesano, Wash.), Grace Grocholski (North Prairie, Wis.), Kennedy Klick (Brooklyn Park, Minn.), Ajok Madol (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) and Bynn Senden (Wayzata, Minn.).
For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@GopherWBB) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the offseason.
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