Hall of Fame
Ivan C. Johnson was born the son of Sharon and Pete Johnson of Cincinnati, OH in1980. Raised by his mother, Johnson attended Withrow High School in Cincinnati where Sharon Johnson currently serves as the principal. Johnson was the 1998 Cincinnati High School Player of the year, earned 2nd Team All-State honors and received a McDonalds All American Nomination. He led Withrow High to the Ohio State Basketball Final Four his senior year. In the fall of 1998, Johnson enrolled at Cumberland College. He was graduated in 2003 with a degree in Communications and minor in Health Movement and Leisure Studies. After college, he was invited to rookie training camp with the Boston Celtics. He played professionally in Europe with the Birmingham Bullets (England) and spent one year in the ABA (American Basketball Association) with the Cincinnati Royals.
Johnson enjoyed a sterling career at Cumberland and is regarded as one of the best all around players in Cumberland history. He scored 1815 points during his career, which places him 4th on the all time scoring list. He also is the career leader in steals with 253 and ranks 6th all time in assists with 451. Perhaps most impressive among his career statistics is that Johnson is one of only two players in Cumberland history to accumulate over 1000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists, and 200 steals. While Johnson's entire career was outstanding, it was his junior and senior seasons that really stood out. During that time, he led Cumberland to a 51-16 record and appearances in the NAIA National Tournament both years. His 28 points against Oklahoma Christian University in the 2003 National Tournament is the second most points scored in the NAIA Tournament by a Cumberland player. Johnson was also a three time Mid South All Conference player and twice was named Mid South Conference Player of the Year. In both 2002 and 2003, Johnson was named to the NAIA All American first team, the only time in Cumberland history that a player has been so honored.
Johnson currently resides in Columbus, Ohio where he is employed in the pharmaceutical sales industry. He is also Co-Founder and CEO of Magnum Opus Group LLC, a marketing and events firm.
