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La Salle product B.J. Johnson signs with the Orlando Magic

The 6-foot-7 forward will be playing for Orlando's G-League team, the Lakeland Magic.

B.J. Johnson of La Salle scores in the 2nd half of their game against Rhode Island on Feb. 20, 2018 at the Tom Gola Arena. Johnson finished with 31 points and 24 rebounds. CHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
B.J. Johnson of La Salle scores in the 2nd half of their game against Rhode Island on Feb. 20, 2018 at the Tom Gola Arena. Johnson finished with 31 points and 24 rebounds. CHARLES FOX / Staff PhotographerRead moreCharles Fox
    by Marc Narducci | Columnist
    Published 

B.J. Johnson, who scored 1,070 points in his two seasons at La Salle after beginning his college basketball career at Syracuse, has signed a free agent contract with the Orlando Magic.

This past season the 6-foot-7 forward averaged 20.8 points and 8.3 rebounds and was a second-team all-Atlantic Ten selection.

A product of Lower Merion, Johnson played for the Charlotte Hornets' summer league team. In four games with the Hornets, he averaged 5.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in 11.1 minutes.

Johnson signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Magic. An Exhibit 10 can be converted into a two-way contract. A two-way contract is principally a G-League player, but he can spend up to 45 days with his affiliate NBA team.

A player who is signed to an Exhibit 10 contract can receive a bonus up to $50,000 if he signs a contract with the team's G League affiliate upon being waived from the parent club and stays with the G-League club at least 60 days.

So Johnson will play for Orlando's G-League team, the Lakeland Magic.

"We really liked his versatility," said Anthony Parker, the G-League general manager and a scout for the Magic in a phone interview. "We think he is a player who can do a lot on both ends of the court."

Parker feels that with continued improvement that Johnson eventually has a shot to play in the NBA.

"If he proves he can defend multiple positions and shoot consistently then he has a chance," Parker said. "We have been impressed with what we have seen."