Clayton State University announced this week that Ray Johnson has been named Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, bringing a blend of professional and international experience to the Lancers program.
A career built on diverse levels of the game
Coach Carl Little praised Johnson’s trajectory, noting his success at the JUCO, NCAA Division II and Division I levels as well as his tenure in the NBA. Johnson’s NBA stint involved operations work, where he contributed draft analysis and scouting support, sharpening his ability to evaluate talent at the highest level.
During the 2024‑25 season he served as Assistant and Strength and Conditioning Coach at South Georgia Tech, where he helped shape player development on the court and in the weight room.
His earlier roles include an assistant position at Hawaii Pacific University from 2020 to 2022, where he also founded the Hawaii Elite Basketball Showcase, a platform that exposed prospects to collegiate and professional scouts.
International and military achievements
Before college, Johnson led the US Army Pacific‑Camp Humphrey team from 2016 to 2018, guiding them to championships in the 2016 Korea Peninsula Wide Tournament and the 2015 Japan Pacific Wide Tournament. He also coached three athletes who earned gold medals at the 2017 International Basketball Tournament.
His work with the All‑Army team under Coach Little from 2018 to 2022 culminated in multiple accolades, including a 2022 Armed Forces Gold Medal, and he mentored 13 professional players, five All‑Americans, twelve All‑Conference selections and six members of the USA Armed Forces team.
Education and professional affiliations
Johnson graduated from Concordia University in Irvine with a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master’s degree in Coaching & Sports Administration. He is a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, further underscoring his commitment to the profession.