Steve Johnson was a professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for several teams during his career. He was born on February 3, 1957, in Akron, Ohio, and attended Oregon State University, where he played college basketball.
Johnson was selected in the first round of the 1981 NBA draft by the Kansas City Kings. He played for the Kings for two seasons before being traded to the San Diego Clippers in 1983. He played for the Clippers for three seasons before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in 1986.
Johnson played for the Trail Blazers for four seasons and was a key player on the team that made it to the NBA Finals in 1990. He was known for his rebounding and scoring ability and was a fan favorite in Portland.
After his time with the Trail Blazers, Johnson played for the Seattle SuperSonics and the Chicago Bulls before retiring from the NBA in 1991. He finished his career with averages of 11.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Johnson was also known for his philanthropic work off the court. He founded the Steve Johnson Foundation, which provided scholarships and other support to underprivileged youth in the Portland area.
In 2008, Johnson was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. He underwent treatment and was able to beat the disease, but it returned in 2015. He passed away on October 26, 2015, at the age of 58.
Johnson's legacy as a basketball player and philanthropist lives on. He was a beloved figure in the Portland community and is remembered for his contributions both on and off the court.
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