Wake Forest Basketball Adds Tennessee Transfer Jalen Johnson

Jalen Johnson, a 6-6, 196 pound guard/forward transfer from Tennessee, has committed to Wake Forest and coach Steve Forbes. The Durham native is a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining. Johnson originally committed to play for Coach Forbes at East Tennessee State, but reopened his recruitment after Forbes took the Wake Forest job.

Johnson attended high school at Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point, where he was teammates with former Wake Forest guard Brandon Childress.

He redshirted the 2016-17 season before becoming a part of the Volunteers’ rotation in 2017-18.

Jalen appeared in all 31 games for Tennessee last season, averaging 15.6 minutes, 3.5 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist per game. For his Tennessee career, Johnson shot 41% from the field, 35.8% from beyond the arc, and 80% from the free throw line.

Johnson adds much needed depth on the wing for the Deacs, and will be immediately eligible as a grad transfer.

With the transfer, the Deacs now have 5 returning scholarship players (Isaiah Mucius, Ody Oguama, Ismael Massoud, Jahcobi Neath, and Tariq Ingraham), 3 graduate transfers (Ian DuBose, Jonah Antonio, and Johnson), 2 transfers who will likely have to sit for a year (Isaiah Wilkins and Isaiah WilkinsDaivien Williamson), and 1 incoming freshman (Quadry Adams). That leaves Wake with 11 of their allotted 13 scholarships filled for the 2020-21 season.

With 2 open spots left, the staff will have their work cut out for them trying to find the best fits to round out the roster for next season, though they will almost certainly look for a big as one of the additions.

Welcome to Winston-Salem, Jalen! We look forward to watching you represent the old gold and black!