Former Duke basketball player signs massive five-year extension with his NBA team

Jalen Johnson, who spent the 2020-21 season with the Duke Blue Devils, reportedly agreed to a five-year contract extension on Monday.

Former Duke basketball player Jalen Johnson officially secured a massive contract extension on Monday.

According to ESPN reporter Shams Charania, the Atlanta Hawks gave Johnson a five-year extension worth $150 million ahead of his fourth NBA season.

Johnson played 13 games for the Blue Devils as a freshman in 2020-21, averaging 11.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.2 steals. His best performance in a Blue Devils uniform came against Pittsburgh that January when he finished with 24 points and 16 rebounds, one of two career double-doubles. He scored 19 points and pulled down 19 rebounds in his debut against Coppin State.

The Hawks took him with the 20th overall pick in 2021, and he’s played 148 games for the franchise in the three years since. He emerged as a starter in 2023-24, averaging 16.0 points and 8.7 rebounds in 33.7 minutes per game. The 6-foot-8 forward also dished 3.6 assists and snagged 1.2 steals per game while shooting 51.1% from the floor.

The contract, which Charania also reported was fully guaranteed, keeps Johnson in Atlanta through the 2029-30 season.