Glory Johnson

Glory Bassey Johnson was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. She attended Webb School of Knoxville, where she became one of the top high school basketball players in Tennessee. Her performances led to state and national recognition, including McDonald’s All-American honours in 2008 and two Tennessee Miss Basketball awards in 2007 and 2008. Her high school career established her as a highly rated forward prospect before she joined the University of Tennessee.

Johnson enrolled at the University of Tennessee in 2008 and played for the Lady Volunteers from 2008 to 2012. As a freshman, she averaged 10.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. During her sophomore season, she averaged 10.1 points and 7.7 rebounds while continuing to develop as a physical frontcourt player. Her junior season marked a major step forward, as she averaged 12.0 points and 9.7 rebounds and earned First-team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team honours.

As a senior in 2011–12, Johnson produced the best statistical season of her college career, averaging 14.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 53.8% from the field. She was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, SEC Tournament MVP, First-team All-SEC, SEC All-Defensive Team, and a WBCA Coaches’ All-American. Across 141 games at Tennessee, she totaled 1,643 points and averaged 11.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. She also recorded 36 double-doubles during her college career.

Johnson entered the 2012 WNBA Draft and was selected fourth overall in the first round by the Tulsa Shock. As a rookie, she played 34 games and started 28, averaging 11.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. Her steals average ranked among the league leaders, and she was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team. Her first season established her as an energetic forward capable of rebounding, running the floor, defending multiple positions, and creating extra possessions.

In 2013, Johnson became one of Tulsa’s leading players. She averaged 15.0 points and 8.9 rebounds per game and was named to her first WNBA All-Star team. She also earned WNBA All-Defensive Second Team honours, reflecting her impact on the defensive end. In 2014, she followed with another strong season, averaging 14.7 points and 9.2 rebounds while earning her second consecutive WNBA All-Star selection.

Johnson missed the 2015 WNBA season while on maternity leave after announcing her pregnancy. By the time she returned in 2016, the Tulsa Shock had relocated and become the Dallas Wings. She re-signed with the franchise and appeared in 18 games that season, averaging 11.3 points and 8.9 rebounds. One of her most notable performances came against the Phoenix Mercury, when she recorded 23 points and a career-high 22 rebounds, one of the league’s rare 20-point, 20-rebound performances.

During the 2017 season, Johnson returned to consistent double-double production. She averaged 14.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, scored a season-high 27 points against the Washington Mystics, and was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the period from July 31 to August 6. She helped Dallas reach the playoffs as the No. 7 seed. In her first career playoff game, she recorded 15 points and 14 rebounds against the Washington Mystics.

The 2018 season was more difficult because of injuries, reduced starts, and lower statistical production. Johnson played 29 games with 17 starts, averaging 8.0 points and 6.0 rebounds. Dallas again made the playoffs but was eliminated in the first round. In 2019, she played her final season with Dallas, appearing in 28 games and averaging 7.3 points and 5.1 rebounds.

In 2020, Johnson joined the Atlanta Dream. Her role was smaller than in her Tulsa and Dallas years, and she averaged 4.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 18 games. Her WNBA career statistics through 2020 include 222 regular-season games, 165 starts, 11.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game.

Johnson also played extensively overseas. Her international club career included Chevakata Vologda and Nadezhda Orenburg in Russia, Xinjiang Tiashan Deers and Guangdong Dolphins in China, Canik Belediyespor and Hatay BB in Turkey, Dynamo Kursk, Sopron Basket, Kayseri Basketbol, Elitzur Ramla, and Beşiktaş. These overseas seasons formed a major part of her professional basketball career and extended her playing opportunities beyond the WNBA calendar.

Glory Johnson represented the United States at the 2011 Summer Universiade in Shenzhen, China. She was part of the USA Basketball team that won all six games and captured the gold medal. During the tournament, Johnson averaged 6.2 points per game and recorded nine steals, tied for second on the team. Her role reflected her strengths as an athletic forward who could rebound, defend, and contribute in transition.

Later in her career, Johnson held a Montenegrin passport and represented the Montenegro national team internationally. This made her one of several professional women’s basketball players whose international career included national team participation outside their country of birth. Her Montenegro representation added another dimension to a career that already included NCAA competition, WNBA play, and overseas club basketball across Europe and Asia.

Although Johnson’s international profile is less extensive than her WNBA and college career, her gold medal with the United States at the World University Games and later connection to Montenegro remain notable parts of her basketball record. Her international career also reflects the global structure of women’s professional basketball, where players often compete across domestic leagues, national teams, and overseas club systems.

Glory Johnson plays primarily as a power forward. At 6 ft 3 in, she is known for rebounding, physical interior play, defensive activity, and transition scoring. Her strongest WNBA seasons were built around double-doubles, offensive rebounding, steals, and energy around the basket. She was not primarily a perimeter scorer, but later in her career she added some three-point shooting. Her best value came from athleticism, second-chance points, defensive versatility, and consistency on the boards.

Glory Johnson was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her parents are Mercy Bassey Johnson and Bassey Johnson Udofot. She attended Webb School of Knoxville before enrolling at the University of Tennessee. During college, she completed her bachelor’s degree in global studies in three years and later earned a master’s degree in communications during her final year of eligibility.

Johnson was previously married to fellow WNBA player Brittney Griner. They married in May 2015, and Johnson announced her pregnancy in June of that year. She gave birth to twin daughters in October 2015, several months premature. The couple’s divorce was finalised in June 2016. Johnson has also publicly expressed support for Griner during difficult periods, including Griner’s legal situation in Russia in 2022.

Glory Johnson’s basketball legacy is based on her production as a rebound-focused forward at Tennessee and in the WNBA. At Tennessee, she became one of the programme’s most productive frontcourt players of her era, finishing with 36 double-doubles and earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year, SEC Tournament MVP, and WBCA Coaches’ All-American honours.

In the WNBA, Johnson built her reputation with the Tulsa Shock and Dallas Wings. Her best seasons came from 2012 to 2017, when she was one of the league’s stronger rebounding forwards and earned two All-Star selections. Her 20-point, 20-rebound game in 2016 and her double-double production in 2017 are among the defining statistical moments of her professional career. Her career also illustrates the international nature of women’s basketball, with WNBA seasons combined with overseas club contracts in Russia, China, Turkey, Hungary, Israel, and other leagues.

Glory Johnson earned major recognition at the high school, collegiate, professional, and international levels. In high school, she was a McDonald’s All-American in 2008 and was named Tennessee Miss Basketball in both 2007 and 2008. She entered Tennessee as one of the top forward prospects in her class.

At Tennessee, Johnson was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2009, First-team All-SEC in 2011 and 2012, and SEC All-Defensive Team in 2011 and 2012. In 2012, she earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year, SEC Tournament MVP, and WBCA Coaches’ All-American honours. Her college career included 141 games, 1,643 points, and 36 double-doubles.

In the WNBA, Johnson was selected fourth overall by the Tulsa Shock in the 2012 WNBA Draft. She was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2012, earned WNBA All-Defensive Second Team honours in 2013, and was selected as a WNBA All-Star in 2013 and 2014. Her professional career included several seasons as one of the top rebounders on the Tulsa Shock and Dallas Wings roster.

Internationally, Johnson won a gold medal with the United States at the 2011 World University Games in Shenzhen, China. She later represented Montenegro internationally after obtaining a Montenegrin passport. Her overseas club career included teams in Russia, China, Turkey, Hungary, Israel, and other professional markets.

Glory Johnson is an American professional basketball player known for her rebounding, defensive activity, and physical play as a power forward. Born on July 27, 1990, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, she grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, and attended Webb School of Knoxville before playing college basketball for the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers. At Tennessee, Johnson became one of the programme’s most productive frontcourt players, recording 36 career double-doubles and earning multiple Southeastern Conference honours. She completed a bachelor’s degree in global studies in three years and earned a master’s degree in communications during her fourth year of eligibility.

Johnson was selected fourth overall by the Tulsa Shock in the 2012 WNBA Draft. She made an immediate impact as a rookie, earning WNBA All-Rookie Team honours and ranking among the league leaders in steals. Her strongest early professional years came with the Tulsa Shock, later relocated and renamed the Dallas Wings, where she became known for double-doubles, offensive rebounding, and defensive versatility. She was named a WNBA All-Star in 2013 and 2014 and earned WNBA All-Defensive Second Team honours in 2013.

Beyond the WNBA, Johnson played professionally overseas in Russia, China, Turkey, Hungary, Israel, and Montenegro-linked international basketball. She represented the United States at the 2011 World University Games, winning a gold medal, and later held a Montenegrin passport and represented Montenegro internationally. Her career combines college honours, WNBA recognition, international club experience, and national team participation.