Johnson Named to Lute Olson Preseason All-America Team
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Orlando Johnson's list of honors grew by one on Wednesday.
Johnson, UC Santa Barbara's senior guard, was one of 21 players across the nation selected to the 2011-12 Lute Olson Preseason All-America Team.
"Again, Orlando is completely deserving of this honor," said Gaucho head coach Bob Williams. "It's a very select group so this is huge, but there is no question that he belongs on the list."
Johnson, who was named to the John R. Wooden Award Top-50 Watch List, is joined on the Lute Olson Preseason All-America Team by, among others, Jared Sullinger of Ohio State, Terrance Jones of Kentucky, Harrison Barnes and Tyler Zeller of North Carolina, Jeremy Lamb of Connecticut, and Thomas Robinson of Kansas.
A two-time First Team All-Big West selection and league tournament MVP, Johnson has led UCSB to consecutive league titles and NCAA Tournament appearances. As a junior, he set a Gaucho record for points in a season with 674. He averaged 21.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists. In 2009-10, his sophomore season, Johnson was named Big West Player of the Year. He is also a two-time NABC First Team All-District 9 and Lou Henson Mid-Major All-American.
Here is the complete Lute Olson Preseason All-America Team:
2011-12 LUTE OLSON PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAM
|
Harrison Barnes |
6-8 |
So. |
North Carolina |
|
Allen Crabbe |
6-6 |
So. |
California |
|
Aaron Craft |
6-2 |
So. |
Ohio State |
|
Kevin Foster |
6-2 |
Jr. |
Santa Clara |
|
Tu Holloway |
6-0 |
Sr. |
Xavier |
|
Mike Glover |
6-7 |
Sr. |
Iona |
|
Tim Hardaway |
6-5 |
So. |
Michigan |
|
Elias Harris |
6-7 |
Jr. |
Gonzaga |
|
Orlando Johnson |
6-5 |
Sr. |
UC Santa Barbara |
|
Terrence Jones |
6-8 |
So. |
Kentucky |
|
Perry Jones III |
6-11 |
So. |
Baylor |
|
Arsalan Kazemi |
6-7 |
Jr. |
Rice |
|
Jeremy Lamb |
6-5 |
So. |
Connecticut |
|
Kendall Marshall |
6-4 |
So. |
North Carolina |
|
Trevor Mbakwe |
6-8 |
Sr. |
Minnesota |
|
Khris Middleton |
6-7 |
Jr. |
Texas A&M |
|
Andrew Nicholson |
6-9 |
Sr. |
St. Bonaventure |
|
Thomas Robinson |
6-9 |
Jr. |
Kansas |
|
Jared Sullinger |
6-9 |
So. |
Ohio State |
|
Jordan Taylor |
6-1 |
Sr. |
Wisconsin |
|
Tyler Zeller |
7-0 |
Sr. |
North Carolina |
Johnson and the Gauchos open the 2011-12 season on Saturday, Nov. 5 when they host San Francisco State in 7:00 p.m. exhibition game at the Thunderdome. Season tickets remain available for an attractive home schedule that, in addition to the regular Big West showdowns, includes games against UNLV, San Diego State, Santa Clara and Portland.
For information or to purchase tickets, please drop by the Ticket Office in the Intercollegiate Athletics Building on campus, call 805-893-UCSB (8272) or click here.