After playing with the Knights during the 2024-2025 season, on April 11, 2025, 21-year-old sophomore Dior Johnson announced that he would be entering the transfer portal.
With an average of 2.9 points, 1.0 rebounds,s and 0.8 assists per game with the Knights, Johnson is again moving to another team, sparking an uproar and debates over NCAA transfer.
Dior Johnson’s Rise
Although rated as one of the top point guards in the country in high school, Johnson is a player known for his instability at different teams and schools over the years. His constant transfers started right from high school, and more often than not, his transfers had come for various reasons–whether voluntary or not.
Johnson began his basketball career at Saugerties High School, New York. He was no ordinary player on the team, setting a record as the youngest player to reach 1,000 points. Afterward, he played at several other high schools, including IMG Academy, Findlay Prep, Hillcrest Prep High School, Mayfair High School, Oak Hill Academy, Centennial High School, Prolific Prep, and Southern California Academy. Some of his transfers in high school were due to injury and the apparent inactivity on the team.
Johnson’s Playing History As A College Basketball Player
As a college basketball player, Johnson committed to playing for Syracuse on February 7, 2020. However, on June 22, 2021, he committed to play for the Oregon Ducks. On June 13, 2022, he committed to Pittsburgh. When he got to the University of Pittsburgh, he took a redshirt year to preserve his college eligibility but did not play any games on the team in that 2022-2023 season. This may have been because there was a change in the coach.
Unfortunately, after pleading guilty to two charges of assault and strangulation, he was arrested and sentenced to probation. Shortly afterward, he was dismissed from the University of Pittsburgh in August 2023 because his actions violated the school’s code of conduct. Hence, his college life was temporarily cut short.
However, he returned to basketball by playing with the Clarendon College Bulldogs in Clarendon, Texas, during the 2023-2024 season. While the team lacked a favorable location, resources, and media attention at the time, it allowed him to play basketball properly again.
He made an impact with the Bulldogs, averaging 29.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. He also scored 13 points against Villanova and had 11 points and four assists in a game against Wisconsin in only 13 minutes of action. On July 1, 2024, he decided to transfer to the University of Central Florida to play for the UCF Knights. Despite his inability to grow long-term with any team, Johnson has constantly shown that he can thrive in the right place.
What Impact Do Transfers Like Johnson’s Have On The NCAA?
With Johnson getting into his sixth college team as a sophomore, his constant transfers have sparked debates about the NCAA transfer system. While many argued that, like any other player, Johnson is merely testing to find a better place for his skills and talents, others contend that the transfer system breeds a lack of commitment to specific programs, causes instability within teams, and creates headaches for coaches.
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The constant transfers also afford the NCAA a level of unpredictability, which adds suspense to every game and puts every team on its toes.
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