The two-time champ will have the chance to work his way onto an NBA roster.
Former UConn men’s basketball center Samson Johnson has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Indiana Pacers after going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft. Johnson, the winningest player in UConn history and the Huskies’ all-time leader in field goal percentage, will have a shot to make it in the NBA on a one-year, non-guaranteed deal that can be converted to a two-way contract for the upcoming season.
Johnson averaged 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game as a starter for the Huskies in his senior season. Throughout his time in Storrs, the Togo product has demonstrated flashes of elite skill and athleticism that helped the Huskies to national titles in 2023 and 2024 as a key bench player, serving as a bouncy change of pace for Adama Sanogo and Donovan Clingan.
At the next level, Johnson should remain an elite lob threat off the screen and roll and a solid off ball defender and shot blocker. He will need to improve his on ball defense and work to stay out of foul trouble in order to be an effective role player. Johnson fouled out of five games this season, but had four or more fouls in 11 of his 34 games this season.