Star Colorado guard Isaiah Johnson to enter transfer portal
- Harrison Simeon
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Updated: a few seconds ago
In a flash, the Colorado Buffaloes’ starboy is leaving.
Freshman guard Isaiah Johnson plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens on April 7, On3’s Joe Tipton reported Friday. Johnson is the first of coach Tad Boyle’s Buffs to announce their intention of heading elsewhere.
This season, Johnson set CU’s freshman scoring record while averaging 16.9 points, three assists and 2.9 rebounds per game. He burst onto the scene, dropping 24 in the Buffaloes' season opener and going on to score 20 or more points eight times. For his efforts, Johnson was named an All-Big 12 honorable mention.
Starting his season primarily off the bench, he led all Power Five guards in scoring efficiency as one of the nation’s brightest bucket-getting reserves. Johnson shot 48.6% from the field, 37.8% from 3 and 82.1% from the free throw line.
The 6-foot-1 native of Los Angeles, California, was following in the footsteps of previous Boyle-coached ball-handlers. Johnson's ability and maturity warranted comparisons to guards Spencer Dinwiddie, Alec Burks, McKinley Wright and KJ Simpson, but unlike his predecessors, he’s set to depart after just one season.
With Johnson at the helm, CU improved from 14-21 to 17-15 this season, along with a tangible jump in Big 12 play from 3-17 to 7-11. But the Buffaloes didn’t get any closer to the NCAA Tournament, falling in the first round of a conference tournament for just the second time in Boyle’s 16 years as head coach.
The Buffs still have at least one game to play in the College Basketball Crown this Wednesday, but at least one player will be hitting the portal.
Sources told Sko Buffs Sports that CU athletic director Fernando Lovo joined Boyle in extensive negotiations to retain Johnson. Still, the lack of success in a loaded conference likely factored into the decision.
The same could be said for many of Colorado’s youngsters, who could join Johnson in short order. Forwards Sebastian Rancik, Bangot Dak and Alon Michaeli, along with guards Barrington Hargress, Ian Inman and Josiah Sanders, are the most at risk of transferring.