Former Wisconsin high school standout Jalen Johnson returned to his home state as an all-star when the Atlanta Hawks played the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on March 4.
Johnson, who prepped at Sun Prairie and Nicolet high schools, continued his stellar play, scoring 20 points and handing out nine assists in the Hawks' 131-113 victory.
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When the Hawks and Bucks met on Jan. 19 in Atlanta, Johnson scored 28 points, pulled down 16 rebounds and had six assists in a two-point loss. It was one of many big nights in the first half of the season that led the 24-year-old to earn his first all-star berth in February.
“It’s kind of tough to really, fully dive in to how you’re feeling especially ‘cause it is midseason,” Johnson told the Journal Sentinel. “But initially I was extremely excited, just grateful, blessed to be placed in that position to make that game. I was representing so many people, not only myself there.”
The all-star nod was a crowning of sorts for Johnson, as the Hawks already had traded four-time all-star Trae Young to Washington, effectively handing the keys of the franchise to the Wausau native.
Johnson, who signed a five-year, $150 million extension in 2024, has not disappointed in that regard. He came into the game March 4 averaging 22.7 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game.
“Not to sound arrogant or anything but this is like, what I expected of myself,” he said. “The work that I put in, I didn’t come into this league just to be average, a guy that said they made it. I wanted to make an impact. That’s the mentality I carry into every offseason, while I’m playing and all that.
"I just want to continue to go out there and continue to expand my game, continue to keep growing, just knowing I’ll never be complacent with where I’m at. I don’t care how many accomplishments and accolades I get, the work still has to remain the same because that’s what got me to this point.”
He’s also keeping Atlanta square in the play-in mix despite the fact the team moved on from Young and prized offseason acquisition Kristaps Porziņģis.
It’s a leadership role Johnson is relishing.
“It’s been extremely exciting,” he said. “It’s exciting because I wasn’t put in that position for no reason. Obviously the organization believes in me and everybody else believes in me as well, and having that confidence and trust from everybody around you – I’m ready for it. It’s something I’ve always prepared myself for.
"Obviously I know what to expect, but at the end of the day I just gotta continue keep being professional every day, continue to lead these guys. Obviously I want to make some noise in the playoffs as well.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Atlanta Hawks' Jalen Johnson returns to Wisconsin as an NBA all-star