Isaiah Johnson was probably the least heralded of the five recruits signed by the Colorado men’s basketball program a little more than a year ago.
Colorado guard Isaiah Johnson, right, moves the ball past UC Davis' Brayden Fagbemi during their game Nov. 21 at the CU Events Center. Isaiah Johnson was probably the least heralded of the five recruits signed by the Colorado men’s basketball program a little more than a year ago.
That freshman class eventually ballooned to seven by the time the 2025-26 season tipped off. Yet Johnson remained the least physically imposing of the bunch. Just a month into his collegiate career, Johnson has already turned into the rookie that’s likely the most imposing on opposing scouting reports, as the 6-foot-1 guard out of Los Angeles continued his impressive collegiate debut during CU’s two wins at the Acrisure Holiday Classic. “The freshmen are freshmen,” CU head coach Tad Boyle said. “They’re going to be good some nights, not so good other nights. Isaiah Johnson was terrific for us. I can’t say enough for what he’s done for us early.” Bangot Dak brought home the MVP trophy after CU won both its games in Palm Desert, California, but Johnson’s contributions were equally critical. Johnson was the Buffs’ points leader over the two games, coming off the bench to score 17 points in the opener against San Francisco — recording 12 of those points in the second half — before adding 13 on Friday against Washington. Johnson’s early shooting numbers have been off the charts, as he will go into Monday’s home date against Cal Baptist with a .574 mark overall with a lofty .571 percentage from 3-point range . Yet what might be even more impressive about Johnson so far beyond those numbers has been the ability of the wiry-framed Johnson to finish plays through contact at the rim. Johnson finished a pair of three-point plays against San Francisco, including one in the final minute of the first half that brought CU to within two points at the break. Johnson is fourth on the team in average minutes but he leads the team in free throw attempts and has recorded an .826 mark at the line . Twice already this season Johnson has recorded high free throw totals, going 10-for-12 in the season opener against Montana State and 10-for-14 against Washington. CU players recorded just one game with 12 free throw attempts last year , but Johnson already has done it twice and Sebastian Rancik also went 11-for-12 in an overtime win against Eastern Washington. “It’s just the reps,” Johnson said. “Since I was a kid, I’ve done the same thing over and over again. I’m just taking my time when I get to the basket and not really worrying about the defender. It was a step in a good direction and it should build confidence in our team.” Johnson’s continued bench spark has been just one part of a CU attack that remained as balanced as it was during the opening stretch at home. Barrington Hargress tallied 11 assists with only three turnovers in the two wins. Dak earned MVP honors after posting a career-high six assists against San Francisco before recording his first career double-double against Washington. And the Buffs’ deep and versatile bench outscored the opposition 56-36. “I just think we have a really good team that has a lot of different weapons on offense,” Boyle said. “If we can continue to improve defensively, we can compete with anybody.” Colorado Sen. Faith Winter, killed in I-25 crash, remembered for relentless advocacy, 'tremendous heart'Keeler: How did CSU Rams land Jim Mora? Give assist to this former Broncos QBScouting the Colorado high school football semifinals in Class 5A, 4A and 3AHistoric La Vista Motel reopens on East Colfax with on-site coffee shop and bar1 killed in Thanksgiving crash on I-25 in Denver
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