The University of Akron Athletics
Isaiah "Big Dog" Johnson No. 23 to be Honored
February 10 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron athletics department is pleased to announce that former men's basketball all-time great Isaiah Johnson will have his No. 23 jersey number honored on Friday, February 13, 2026, when the Zips host UMass.
The ceremony will be held prior to the game. All fans will receive 23% off tickets for Isaiah "Big Dog" Johnson Night. Promo Link: https://tinyurl.com/5589wrzj
Johnson, No. 23, is the 12th player in program history to have his jersey number honored, joining the likes of No. 12 Larry Jenkins, No. 22 Mike Harkins, No. 42 Bill Turner, No. 13 Fritz Nagy, No. 25 Eric McLaughlin, No. 44 Jim Fenton, No. 20 Len Paul, No. 31 Joe Jakubick, No. 55 Alex Adams, No. 24 Romeo Travis and No. 25 Enrique Freeman.
Johnson represented the Blue and Gold from 2013-17, and appeared in 136 games and 65 as a starter. The Zips recorded a 95-45 overall record and a 48-24 mark in the Mid-American Conference, while winning two regular season MAC Championships and participating in two National Invitation Tournament (NIT, 2016 and 2017). In addition, Big Dog led the Zips to a trio of in-season tournament championships at the 2016 Savannah Invitational, 2016 Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational and 2015 and South Point Classic. During his four-year career, Johnson amassed 1,374 points, 748 rebounds, 203 assists, 143 blocked shots, and 55 steals.
Johnson was the fourth player in Akron basketball history to earn AP All-America honors (2017) and added several accolades, including MAC Player of the Year (2017), MAC Sixth Man of the Year (2016), two-time All-MAC selection (First Team 2016 and 2017), two-time NABC All-District First Team (2016 and 2017) and two-time MAC All-Tournament Team recipient. Johnson was the 42nd player in Akron history to enter the 1,000-point scoring club on a career-high night at Central Michigan on Jan. 10, 2017. He scored 33 points.
The Cincinnati native also climbed his way into the Akron record book and currently stands tied for 1st in games played in a single season (36), 4th in blocked shots (143), tied for games played (136), 8th for single-season blocked shots (47), 10th in single-season scoring (598) and 17th for all-time scoring (1,374).
During the 2016-17 season, Johnson was named MAC Player of the Year and became the fourth player in Akron's Division I era to be named to the Associated Press All-America team, joining Len Paul (1971-72), Joe Jakubick (1983-84) and Romeo Travis (2006-07). Johnson was also named Savannah Invitational MVP and All-Tournament Team, while also garnering the Don Haskins Sun Bowl All-Tournament Team honors. Johnson was named First Team All-MAC and to the All-MAC Tournament Team.
In 36 games, Johnson averaged a team-high 16.6 points per game supported by a 62.5 percent shooting percentage, which ranked first in the MAC and ninth in the NCAA. Johnson ranked third in the MAC and 41st in the NCAA with 223 total field goals made, scoring 598 points and standing at sixth in the MAC and 81st in the NCAA. In addition, Johnson led Akron with 103 assists, dishing out 2.9 per game while owning a 1.2 assist/turnover ratio.
Johnson was also the Zips second leading rebounder, pulling down 7.1 rebounds per game. He secured a team-high 103 offensive rebounds, ranking fourth in the MAC and 69th in the NCAA with 2.86 per night. Johnson added 154 defensive grabs for a 257 total rebound effort. Johnson helped the 2016-17 Zips to a then program-high 27 wins and ended his career with 95 total wins, which was tied for third best class in program history.
In 2015-16, Johnson garnered several awards after leading the Zips' offensive and rebounding efforts, including the MAC Sixth Man of the Year award and First Team All-MAC selection. He was named to the MAC All-Tournament Team. In addition, he received the South Point Classic Most Valuable Player award.
In 35 games, Johnson averaged a team-high 13.6 points per game supported by a 57.4 percent shooting percentage. He pulled down a team-best 7.6 rebounds per game and totaled 266 rebounds. He posted double-digit scoring efforts in 25 games, 18 of the last 20, and had a stretch of 13 games-straight with 11 or more points. Johnson scored 20-plus points six times, including a then career-high 24 points (twice), against South Carolina State (Dec. 30) and Kent State (Feb. 19).
Isaiah "Big Dog" Johnson Night at James A. Rhodes Arena ceremony will be held prior to the game. All fans will receive 23% off tickets for Isaiah "Big Dog" Johnson Night.
Promo Link: https://tinyurl.com/5589wrzj
The ceremony will be held prior to the game. All fans will receive 23% off tickets for Isaiah "Big Dog" Johnson Night. Promo Link: https://tinyurl.com/5589wrzj
Johnson, No. 23, is the 12th player in program history to have his jersey number honored, joining the likes of No. 12 Larry Jenkins, No. 22 Mike Harkins, No. 42 Bill Turner, No. 13 Fritz Nagy, No. 25 Eric McLaughlin, No. 44 Jim Fenton, No. 20 Len Paul, No. 31 Joe Jakubick, No. 55 Alex Adams, No. 24 Romeo Travis and No. 25 Enrique Freeman.
Johnson represented the Blue and Gold from 2013-17, and appeared in 136 games and 65 as a starter. The Zips recorded a 95-45 overall record and a 48-24 mark in the Mid-American Conference, while winning two regular season MAC Championships and participating in two National Invitation Tournament (NIT, 2016 and 2017). In addition, Big Dog led the Zips to a trio of in-season tournament championships at the 2016 Savannah Invitational, 2016 Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational and 2015 and South Point Classic. During his four-year career, Johnson amassed 1,374 points, 748 rebounds, 203 assists, 143 blocked shots, and 55 steals.
Johnson was the fourth player in Akron basketball history to earn AP All-America honors (2017) and added several accolades, including MAC Player of the Year (2017), MAC Sixth Man of the Year (2016), two-time All-MAC selection (First Team 2016 and 2017), two-time NABC All-District First Team (2016 and 2017) and two-time MAC All-Tournament Team recipient. Johnson was the 42nd player in Akron history to enter the 1,000-point scoring club on a career-high night at Central Michigan on Jan. 10, 2017. He scored 33 points.
The Cincinnati native also climbed his way into the Akron record book and currently stands tied for 1st in games played in a single season (36), 4th in blocked shots (143), tied for games played (136), 8th for single-season blocked shots (47), 10th in single-season scoring (598) and 17th for all-time scoring (1,374).
During the 2016-17 season, Johnson was named MAC Player of the Year and became the fourth player in Akron's Division I era to be named to the Associated Press All-America team, joining Len Paul (1971-72), Joe Jakubick (1983-84) and Romeo Travis (2006-07). Johnson was also named Savannah Invitational MVP and All-Tournament Team, while also garnering the Don Haskins Sun Bowl All-Tournament Team honors. Johnson was named First Team All-MAC and to the All-MAC Tournament Team.
In 36 games, Johnson averaged a team-high 16.6 points per game supported by a 62.5 percent shooting percentage, which ranked first in the MAC and ninth in the NCAA. Johnson ranked third in the MAC and 41st in the NCAA with 223 total field goals made, scoring 598 points and standing at sixth in the MAC and 81st in the NCAA. In addition, Johnson led Akron with 103 assists, dishing out 2.9 per game while owning a 1.2 assist/turnover ratio.
Johnson was also the Zips second leading rebounder, pulling down 7.1 rebounds per game. He secured a team-high 103 offensive rebounds, ranking fourth in the MAC and 69th in the NCAA with 2.86 per night. Johnson added 154 defensive grabs for a 257 total rebound effort. Johnson helped the 2016-17 Zips to a then program-high 27 wins and ended his career with 95 total wins, which was tied for third best class in program history.
In 2015-16, Johnson garnered several awards after leading the Zips' offensive and rebounding efforts, including the MAC Sixth Man of the Year award and First Team All-MAC selection. He was named to the MAC All-Tournament Team. In addition, he received the South Point Classic Most Valuable Player award.
In 35 games, Johnson averaged a team-high 13.6 points per game supported by a 57.4 percent shooting percentage. He pulled down a team-best 7.6 rebounds per game and totaled 266 rebounds. He posted double-digit scoring efforts in 25 games, 18 of the last 20, and had a stretch of 13 games-straight with 11 or more points. Johnson scored 20-plus points six times, including a then career-high 24 points (twice), against South Carolina State (Dec. 30) and Kent State (Feb. 19).
Isaiah "Big Dog" Johnson Night at James A. Rhodes Arena ceremony will be held prior to the game. All fans will receive 23% off tickets for Isaiah "Big Dog" Johnson Night.
Promo Link: https://tinyurl.com/5589wrzj
2025-26 Zips Weekly with John Groce - Episode #8 - at Eastern Michigan/at Troy Recap - 2.9.26
Sunday, February 08
2025-25 Akron Zips Men's Basketbal - Coach Groce Promo - 02/06/2026
Thursday, February 05
2025-26 Zips Weekly with John Groce - Episode #7 - Toledo/Kent State Recap - 2.3.26
Wednesday, February 04
2025-26 Akron Zips Men's Basketball Post-Game Press Conference vs. Kent State - 1/30/26 - Coach
Saturday, January 31
