Neil Johnston

Neil Johnston was a professional basketball player and coach in the National Basketball Association and the now-defunct American Basketball League. In 1956, he became an NBA Champion while playing with the Philadelphia Warriors. He also later coached the Warriors before moving to the ABA to play for and coach the Pittsburgh Rens.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Donald Neil Johnston was born on February 4, 1929, in Chillicothe, Ohio. He died on September 28, 1978, in Irving, Texas. He stood 203 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 95 kg. He died at the age of 49 while playing basketball with his son.

Before playing basketball professionally, he had received a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies of Minor League Baseball. Johnston later decided to pursue basketball professionally.

High School and College Career

He attended his local high school, the Chillicothe High School in Ohio. While there, he was an all-state player and he helped lead his team to a number of victories.

Johnston later went on to attend the Ohio State University. While in college, he played both basketball and baseball.

Professional Career

From 1951 to 1959, he played for the then-Philadelphia Warriors. The team that later became the Golden State Warriors. While with the team, he was named an NBA All-Star from 1953 to 1958. In 1956, he became an NBA Champion. Also from 1953 to 1955, he was the NBA Scoring Champion. In 1955, he led the league in rebounds.

He was forced to retire during the 1958-1959 season due to injuries. He then went on to coach the Warriors in the first two seasons that Wilt Chamberlain played for the team. He then moved on to coaching the Pittsburgh Rens in the American Basketball League.

In 1990, he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He has also been named to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame and the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.

Career Highlights

• 1956 - NBA champion
• 1953–1958 - NBA All-Star
• 1953–1956 - All-NBA First Team
• 1957 - All-NBA Second Team
• 1953–1955 - NBA scoring champion
• 1955 - NBA rebounding leader

Career Playing Statistics

• Points - 10,023 (19.4 ppg)
• Rebounds - 5,856 (11.3 rpg)
• Assists - 1,269 (2.5 apg)

Career Coaching Record

• NBA - 95–59 (.617)

• Basketball Hall of Fame as a player, 1990
• College Basketball Hall of Fame, 2006

Team History:

As a coach:

• 1959–1961 - Philadelphia Warriors
• 1961–1963 - Pittsburgh Rens