FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason University men's basketball head coach Tony Skinn ('06) announced Monday that former Auburn standout guard K.D. Johnson will join the Patriots for his final season of collegiate eligibility in 2024-25.
 
Johnson brings a wealth of elite-level experience to Fairfax, having suited up in 102 career games at Auburn with 32 starts. Over his three seasons on the Plains, Johnson's Auburn teams averaged 25.3 wins while notching two NCAA Tournament victories and the 2024 SEC Championship title.
 
"K.D.'s experience playing at the highest level is something our program needs to experience success in March," Skinn said. "Having his poise and talent at the lead guard position will make us a better team. He played four seasons in the SEC where he showed how competitive he is on both sides of the floor."
 
Johnson scored 959 career points and dished out 142 assists in three seasons at Auburn. A gifted defensive player, he notched 139 steals, including 1.9/game as a sophomore, which ranked eighth in the SEC.
 
During that 2021-22 season, Johnson averaged 12.3 points and made 31 starts (27.8 mpg) for a Tigers squad which went 28-6 and earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. He then earned Preseason All-SEC honors in 2022-23 and moved into a sixth man role, where he played 21.9 minutes/contest while averaging 8.9 points.
 
This past season, Johnson helped lead the Tigers to the SEC Tournament title while appearing in all 35 games and averaging 7.1 points. Auburn posted a 27-8 mark and earned a No. 4 seed in the Big Dance.
 
"K.D.'s a guy who plays with a lot of emotion," Skinn added. "He's a dynamic scorer and playmaker and he can get downhill efficiently. He's a professional paint toucher who puts pressure at the rim. He can do that, and then has the ability to shoot the three. He's a three-level scorer and has elite defensive ability."
 
Johnson played for the University of Georgia during his freshman campaign in 2020-21, where he earned SEC All-Freshman Team accolades. The Atlanta native averaged a career-best 13.5 points, averaged 1.8 steals and shot a personal-best 38.7 percent from 3-point range.
 
A consensus Top 100-ranked player by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals, he was rated as a four-star prospect by all major recruiting outlets. He averaged 26.2 points, 7.4 assists and 3.1 steals in one season at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., where he helped the Tigers reach the Final Four of the National Prep School Tournament.
 
He previously played three seasons at Southwest DeKalb High School (Ga.) where he was twice tabbed all-state for Class 5A by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. He was elected as the 2019 Class 5A Player of the Year as a junior.

Johnson is the third transfer portal addition for the Patriots so far this season. The Green & Gold also will welcome former Siena forward Giovanni Emejuru and former Iona guard Jeremiah Quigley, as well as incoming freshmen Justin Begg (Houston, Texas) and Bryson Cokley (Whiteville, N.C.). The Patriots also welcome back two starters from last season's 20-win squad, including second-leading scorer Darius Maddox (14.0 ppg) and Jared Billups. GM also brings back three additional letter winners, including Woody Newton, Austin Ball and 2023 All-SoCon Third Team selection Jalen Haynes (ETSU).