If redshirt senior guard Velton Jones was RMU’s yin, redshirt senior forward Russell Johnson was the program’s yang. A consistent presence in the Robert Morris lineup over the last four seasons, Johnson brought a complete game to the table for the Colonials. Whether it was his ability to slash to the basket, hit the outside shot, grab a rebound or play lockdown defense, Johnson was at the forefront. Like Jones, in Johnson’s four years on the active roster he helped guide the Colonials to three postseason appearances, including an NCAA Tournament (2010), the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) (2013) and the program’s inaugural appearance in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason?Tournament (2012). Johnson was also part of an RMU squad that finished 3-3 (.500) in the postseason during his time on the roster. Johnson has etched his name into the Robert Morris record book thanks to his production. A look at the numbers:
- Named to the 2011 All-Northeast Conference Tournament Team
- Robert Morris owned a record of 91-50 (.645) during the four years Johnson was one the active roster, tied with Velton Jones (2009-13) and Gary Wallace (2007-11) for most victories by a Colonial
- Played in 129 career games, including 80 starts ... RMU finished with a record of 49-31 (.613) with Johnson as a member of the starting lineup
- Finished career as one of just 12 players in school history to eclipse career totals of both 1,000 points (1,208) and 500 rebounds (746) ... Ranks 14th all-time at Robert Morris in scoring and third in rebounding
- Recorded 159 steals over his four years to rank 10th in the RMU career record book ... Added career totals of 192 assists and 72 blocks, including a career-high 26 blocks as a junior in 2011-12
- One of three players to play in 35 games in 2009-10, a freshman record for games played
- One of three Colonials in school history to play in 11 games in the NEC Tournament, joining former Colonials Velton Jones (2009-13) and Gary Wallace (2007-11), a career record ... In 11 career NEC Tournament games grabbed 58 rebounds (5.3 per game average), an RMU career record
- In three games of the 2011 NEC Tournament averaged 12.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game to earn a spot on the All-NEC Tournament Team ... Scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the 2011 NEC Tournament Championship game @ LIU Brooklyn (3/9/11)
- Scored in double figures 55 times in his career, which ranks 15th all-time at Robert Morris ... The Colonials posted a record of 34-21 (.618) when Johnson scored 10 or more points in a game
- Eclipsed the 20-point plateau eight times, with RMU posting a record of 4-4 (.500) in those games ... Johnson scored at least 20 points in a game a total of four times as a senior in 2012-13, with the Colonials a perfect 4-0 in those contests
- Compiled seven career double-doubles, including two as a freshman in 2009-10, three as a sophomore in 2010-11 and a pair as a senior in 2012-13
- Scored a career-high 26 points @ Appalachian State (12/18/10), converting 11 of his 18 attempts from the floor, including 4-for-8 from beyond the arc ... Grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds @ St. Francis Brooklyn (1/31/13), becoming the first Colonial to finish with at least 15 caroms in a contest in a span of 219 games
- One of numerous Colonials to produce a game-winning shot in his career, Johnson’s came in a 62-60 win @ Monmouth (2/19/11), when his jumper in the paint with 3.3 seconds to play helped lift Robert Morris to the victory
- Ended his career with the longest active streak for consecutive starts by an RMU player at 21, averaging 12.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.4 steals over that span while shooting 46.4 percent (91-for-196) from the field, including 43.9 percent (36-for-82) from beyond the arc
