Biography of Alize Johnson
Born on 22 April 1996 in Williamsport, USA, Alize DeShawn Johnson was one of the smallest players on his teams right up to the NCAA. In fact, ‘Mr Double-Double’ was already making a name for himself at secondary school thanks to his ease… at point guard! Yes, right up until university, our centre played as a point guard. It wasn’t until a late growth spurt that the Pennsylvania native began racking up impressive performances for the Missouri State Bears. In his freshman year, he recorded nearly 17 double-doubles in the NCAA. His magnetic presence on the boards caught the NBA’s attention.
Following a successful sophomore season, Alize was selected 50th overall in the 2018 Draft by the Pacers. Although he mainly played in the G-League, he made a name for himself during his NBA appearances. His full potential was also on display in the Summer League, where he put in a string of strong performances. Two seasons after his arrival, the power forward joined the Raptors 905 before signing for the Brooklyn Nets mid-season. It was a brief spell during which he notably recorded a sensational double-double of 20 points and 21 rebounds against his former club! The American went on to play for the Chicago Bulls, the Washington Wizards, the New Orleans Pelicans and the San Antonio Spurs.
But in the summer of 2023, Alize left the Americas to become a superstar in Korea. Playing for Jeonju KCC Egis, he won both the cup and the league title whilst also being named MVP. This was followed by spells with the Atleticos de San German in Puerto Rico, the Kawasaki Brave Thunders in Japan, and more recently, the 2025–2026 season split between the G-League and the Chinese league. Whether with the Iowa Wolves or the Shenzhen Aviators, ‘Mr Double-Double’ racked up a multitude of double-doubles, which over time have become his trademark.
Alongside his sporting career, Alize is also very active in the charity sector. In addition to his foundation, set up in 2018, he has been organising annual basketball camps since 2019, following in the footsteps of Léopold Cavalière and Tyson Etienne.
Having played at the highest level of North American basketball, Alize will now take to the courts in Europe this season, representing Paris Basketball.
What role will Alize Johnson play for Paris Basketball in the 2026-2027 season
Alize Johnson is perfectly suited to Paris Basketball’s up-tempo style. An athletic big man, our number 24 combines agility, physicality and aggression at both ends of the court. Her background as a point guard gives her not only a strong ball-handling ability but also a vision of the game that is particularly rare for a power forward.
In transition, for example, she can both sprint like an arrow to receive a pass or drive up the court before delivering a perfect assist. Offensive versatility and a strong presence on the boards are also key aspects of her game.
Player’s style of play in 3 words
DOUBLE-DOUBLE GRAB & GO REBOUND
