Nicolet to NBA Star: Where Jalen Johnson Went to High School

Jalen Johnson at Nicolet High School. Photo by Royalbroil, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When Jalen Johnson soars through the lane for the Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee area families can say with pride: "He's from here!”

The 23-year-old forward who's currently dominating the NBA first made national headlines right here in our backyard—leading Nicolet High School to its first-ever state basketball championship in 2019. Now, six years later, Johnson isn't just succeeding in the pros; he's making history.

A Wisconsin kid who chose Nicolet

Jalen Johnson's path to our community began with a family decision. Born in Wausau and raised in Sun Prairie, Johnson came from basketball royalty—both his parents, Roderick and Stacy Johnson, played college basketball at UW-Milwaukee. His father also competed professionally in Poland before becoming Jalen's primary coach throughout his childhood.

In July 2018, the Johnson family made the move to Glendale so Jalen and his younger brother Kobe could join Nicolet High School's basketball program. What happened next would change the school's athletic legacy forever.

"I've been loving Nicolet," Johnson said during his junior year. "It's one of the best decisions I've made."

Some critics called the arrival of the Johnson brothers and other talented players an attempt to build a "super team." Jalen embraced it. "It was kind of a cool experience having the target on your back," he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "But it just made us work harder."

The championship that made Nicolet history

The 2018-19 season was nothing short of magical. Nicolet stormed through the season with a 27-1 record, climbing to seventh in national rankings. But for longtime Knights fans, the real prize came on March 16, 2019, at the Kohl Center in Madison.

In the Division 2 state championship game against Milwaukee Washington, Johnson delivered a performance for the ages: 20 points and 20 rebounds. The highlight came when teammate James Graham lobbed the ball toward the rim, and Johnson threw down a one-handed alley-oop dunk over fellow five-star recruit Michael Foster Jr.—a moment that became the defining image of that tournament season.

When the final buzzer sounded, Nicolet had won 67-54, capturing the school's first state basketball championship in its history. It was the program's first trip to the state tournament in 26 years.

Coach Allan Hanson, who guided the Knights to that historic title, offered insight into what made Johnson special. "Jalen is a guy who I've never seen anyone like," Hanson said. "He's so selfless, he's always got team first, but at the same time I've never met a guy as competitive as he is, but still not selfish. I think that's what separates him from his peers."

Johnson's junior year earned him Wisconsin AP Player of the Year and Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year honors. As a consensus five-star recruit ranked 13th nationally in the 2020 class, he committed to Duke University on July 4, 2019.

From Duke to the Hawks

Johnson's college career at Duke showcased his elite potential. In his debut against Coppin State, he recorded 19 points and 19 rebounds—becoming only the third Duke freshman ever to post a double-double in their first game. He went on to set school records and earn ACC Freshman of the Week honors twice before opting out mid-season to prepare for the 2021 NBA Draft.

The Atlanta Hawks selected Johnson with the 20th overall pick on July 29, 2021. His early NBA years required patience—time in the G-League, limited minutes, and some injuries—but the breakout everyone anticipated finally arrived.

An All-Star emerging in Atlanta

The 2025-26 NBA season has established Jalen Johnson as one of basketball's brightest young stars. Currently averaging 23.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game, Johnson has stepped up as the Hawks' primary playmaker while teammate Trae Young recovers from injury.

The numbers tell a remarkable story of growth:

Season Points Rebounds Assists 2021-22 (Rookie) 2.4 2.4 0.5 2023-24 (Breakout) 16.0 8.7 3.6 2025-26 (Current) 23.2 10.0 7.3

On November 13, 2025, Johnson etched his name into NBA history books, becoming the first player ever to record 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists, and 7 steals in a single game. Two weeks later, he scored a career-high 41 points in a double-overtime victory over Philadelphia.

"That boy is a star," Trae Young said of his teammate. "He has even more room for growth. What you're seeing from him now is just the tip of the iceberg."

Last October, Johnson signed a five-year, $150 million contract extension with Atlanta—a deal that analysts now call one of the most team-friendly in the league given his dramatic improvement.

Giving back to where it started

Despite his NBA success, Johnson hasn't forgotten his Wisconsin roots. He founded The Jalen Johnson Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through educational programs, sports activities, and mentorship.

In August 2024, Johnson returned home to host his inaugural free youth basketball camp at Athlete Performance in Mequon, offering kids in grades 3-8 the chance to learn from an NBA player who once stood exactly where they do now.

"That means everything to me because I was once one of these kids," Johnson said. "I went to a Wesley Matthews camp growing up, so the interaction you have now with players you look up to and want to be like carries a long way. I'm just looking to make an impact any way I can."

The message he and his brother Kobe—who now also plays for the Atlanta Hawks—shared with the campers was simple: Have fun. That's the key lesson in the game they love.

A legacy to celebrate

For families in Fox Point, Glendale, Bayside, and the surrounding communities, Jalen Johnson represents something special. He's proof that greatness can emerge from our local gyms and courts. He's a reminder that the Nicolet Knight on those championship banners went on to make NBA history.

The next time you drive past Nicolet High School on Jean Nicolet Road, take a moment to remember: one of the NBA's brightest rising stars once walked those halls, dreamed big in that gymnasium, and brought home a championship that still defines what Knight pride means.

And he's just getting started.