GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY

GCU basketball adds local product Braylon Johnson, brother of Cam Johnson

Sep 21, 2024, 8:45 PM | Updated: Sep 22, 2024, 9:24 am

GCU basketball coach Bryce Drew...

Head coach Bryce Drew of the Grand Canyon Antelopes reacts to a play during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the second round of the NCAA tournament. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Grand Canyon University men’s basketball announced on Friday the addition of Braylon Johnson, the younger brother of former Phoenix Suns wing Cam Johnson.

Braylon played his high school ball at Phoenix Pinnacle High after his family relocated to the Valley when Cam was drafted in 2019.

“It was really cool, especially when Cam was playing here,” Johnson told GCULopes.com’s Paul Coro of the love his family has felt in the area. “But it’s crazy seeing how much he’s still supported even though he’s not here anymore.”

“We are really excited to be adding Braylon to our roster,” GCU head coach Bryce Drew said. “He has tremendous upside, a great work ethic and comes from a terrific basketball family.”

Johnson averaged 17.4 points and 8.3 rebounds as a senior, helping Pinnacle reach the 6A state semifinals.

Puff Johnson, a brother aged between Braylon and Cam, also played at Pinnacle. He considered GCU while in the transfer portal after starting his college career at North Carolina. He now plays for Penn State.

“GCU was the place I always wanted to go. It just always seemed like a great environment,” Braylon added. “The coaching staff is great, the fans are great, the games are crazy. I just thought it would be a great place for me to come in and grow and become a better player.”

The ‘Lopes enter the 2024-25 season returning most of the rotation that earned the program’s first NCAA tournament victory, including 2023 WAC Player of the Year Tyon Grant-Foster.

Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon Lopes fans could be cheering a Pac-12 team in the future...

Anne-Marie Iemmolo

Grand Canyon reportedly interested in Pac-12, which adds Gonzaga

Gonzaga joined the Pac-12 on Tuesday, and interest between the conference and Grand Canyon University was reported.

8 days ago

Tyon Grant-Foster, GCU forward...

Anne-Marie Iemmolo

Tyon Grant-Foster prepared to lead GCU basketball to another historic season

Tyon Grant-Foster is prepared to lead the GCU Lopes after returning to GCU for his final year of college basketball eligibility.

10 days ago

GCU basketball coach Bryce Drew...

Damon Allred

GCU basketball adds local product Braylon Johnson, brother of Cam Johnson

Grand Canyon University men's basketball announced on Friday the addition of Braylon Johnson, the younger brother of former Phoenix Suns wing Cam Johnson.

17 days ago

Olympic flag waving in the wind...

Arizona Sports

2024 Paris Olympics: Tracking every qualifier with ties to Arizona

The 2024 Paris Olympics are set to begin this week, and there are many athletes with Arizona ties gearing up for the competition.

3 months ago

Jacob Wilson...

Arizona Sports

GCU baseball star Jacob Wilson called up by Athletics

Jacob Wilson, the highest drafted player in Grand Canyon baseball history, is headed to the major leagues.

3 months ago

Grand Canyon University forward Gabe McGlothan has agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract to join the Den...

Arizona Sports

GCU’s Gabe McGlothan agrees to contract with the Denver Nuggets, per report

Grand Canyon University forward Gabe McGlothan has agreed to an Exhibit-10 contract to join the Denver Nuggets.

3 months ago

GCU basketball adds local product Braylon Johnson, brother of Cam Johnson