Kamani Johnson Tabbed Sun Belt Co-Player of the Week

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Little Rock sophomore forward Kamani Johnson has been tabbed the Sun Belt Conference Co-Player of the Week, announced today by the league office. Johnson becomes the second Trojan to earn the conference's weekly accolade, joining teammate Markquis Nowell, who has earned the honor twice in 2019-20.

Johnson had arguably his best week as a Trojan in helping Little Rock to back-to-back wins over Texas State and UT Arlington, averaging 22.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in those two victories. He shot 65.0% from the floor, making 13 of his 21 shots, while going 19-of-21 from the free throw line, a 90.5% clip.
 
Against the Bobcats Thursday night, Johnson posted 15 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Trojans erase a 15-point deficit to earn the victory. He was 5-of-8 from the floor and 5-for-5 from the free throw line while dishing out three assists.
 
Two days later, Johnson registered career highs in both points (30) and rebounds (13) in leading the Trojans to the 92-89 win over the Mavericks. Johnson finished 8-of-12 from the floor and knocked down 14 of his 16 free throws, helping the Trojans thwart off a second half UTA rally. He also tied his career-high with five assists against the Mavericks.
 
The Brooklyn, New York native continues to have a breakout season in Little Rock, registering four double-doubles on the year while ranking third in the Sun Belt in rebounding (7.6 rpg) and second in offensive rebounds (2.9 rpg). He ranks second on the team in rebounds with 114 and is fourth in scoring, averaging 10.7 points per game. In Sun Belt play, he is averaging 17.5 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 74.2% from the floor.
 
Where Johnson has really made his mark this season is at the free throw line, where he ranks second on the team at 79.5% and has made 85.7% of his free throw attempts in Sun Belt play. It has been a point of emphasis during the offseason for Johnson, who has increased his free throw percentage by nearly 30 points after posting a 50.8% average as a freshman.
 
Johnson has helped lead Little Rock to five-straight wins, the most for the program since a six-game winning streak in 2016-17, as well as a 4-0 mark in Sun Belt play, its best start in league play since the 2015-16 championship season. He shares this week's honor with Michael Ertel of ULM, who registered a conference-high 39 points in the Warhawks' win over South Alabama Saturday.
 
Johnson and the first place Trojans return to action tonight, hosting Georgia Southern at 6:30 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center. It is the first of three games this week, and the third game in a 10-day span, as Little Rock then travels to Troy for a Thursday night game before returning to the Jack Stephens Center Saturday to take on South Alabama at 4:30 p.m.
 
2019-20 Sun Belt Conference Players of the Week
November 12: Josh Ajayi, South Alabama
November 19: Markquis Nowell, Little Rock
November 26: Elijah McCadden, Georgia Southern
December 3: Markquis Nowell, Little Rock
December 9: DeVante Jones, Coastal Carolina
December 16: Nijal Pearson, Texas State
December 23: Justin Forrest, Appalachian State
December 30: Ike Smith, Georgia Southern
January 6: Kamani Johnson, Little Rock / Michael Ertel, ULM

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