Isaiah Johnson’s stellar season wasn’t enough to crack a crowded field for the Big 12 Conference All-Freshman team.
Johnson’s big-time rookie numbers were recognized on Tuesday, though, as he earned first team All-Mountain District honors from the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
Johnson, an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection, becomes the sixth NABC first team all-district honoree from the Buffs, and the first since KJ Simpson in 2023-24. That list also includes David Harrison (2004), Richard Roby (2006, 2008), Alec Burks (2011) and McKinley Wright IV (2020, 2021).
Johnson was joined on the 10-player All-Mountain District team by the Arizona trio of Jaden Bradley, Koa Peat and Brayden Burries; Utah State’s MJ Collins Jr. and Mason Falsleve; BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Richie Sauders; Jake Hall from New Mexico; and Anthony Roy from Oklahoma State.
Johnson broke the CU record for points by a freshman, posting 540 through last week in the first round of the Big 12 tournament. Johnson broke Burks’ previous freshman scoring record of 512 points while scoring a season-high 28 points in the regular season finale against No. 2 Arizona.
While the roster makeup for CU’s April 1 date with Oklahoma at the College Basketball Crown remains unclear, Johnson’s scoring average of 16.9 ranks 12th among all Big 12 players going into the postseason. Johnson’s scoring average of 17.9 in conference games ranked eighth.
Johnson owns a .486 field goal percentage with a .378 mark on 3-pointers. He posted an assist-to-turnover rate of 2.09 (96 assists, 46 turnovers), and his assist total ranks sixth all-time among CU freshmen.
Johnson led the Buffs with nine 20-point games. Northern Colorado’s Quinn Denker, who recorded 33 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in , was a second team NABC All-Mountain Region selection.
