 Johnson in 2020 | |
| Washington Mystics | |
|---|---|
| Position | Head coach |
| League | WNBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | April 26, 1974 Lansing, Michigan, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school | |
| College | Princeton (1993–1997) |
| NBA draft | 1997: undrafted |
| Playing career | 1997–2004 |
| Coaching career | 2004–present |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1997–1998 | Nuova Pallacanestro Gorizia |
| 1998–1999 | Viola Reggio Calabria |
| 2000–2002 | S.S. Felice Scandone |
| 2003–2004 | Montepaschi Siena |
| As coach: | |
| 2004–2007 | Georgetown (assistant) |
| 2007–2011 | Princeton |
| 2011–2019 | Fairfield |
| 2020–2021 | Air Force (AHC) |
| 2024 | Chicago Sky (assistant) |
| 2025–present | Washington Mystics |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As head coach:
As player:
| |
Sydney Johnson (born April 26, 1974) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach of the Washington Mystics of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). A 1997 Princeton alumnus, Johnson played for the Princeton Tigers men's basketball from 1993 to 1997.[1]
As a player, he was a member of the 1995–96 Ivy League champions and the undefeated (in conference) 1996–97 Princeton Tigers. He earned Ivy League Men's Basketball Player of the Year recognition for the undefeated 1997 team. He continues to hold the Ivy League records for consecutive three-point shots made and most single-game three-point shots made without a miss. He also holds Princeton's record for career steals. His college career was marked by many memorable overtime performances, game-winning shots and game-clinching free throws. Nonetheless, his greatest recognition came for his defense. During a seven-year professional playing career, he won three championships in Europe.
After transitioning into coaching, Johnson began as an assistant coach at Georgetown, where he was part of the 2006–07 Big East Conference champions. In 2007, he became the youngest head coach in the Ivy League when hired by Princeton. Over his four-year tenure, he led the Tigers to the 2011 Ivy League title and an NCAA tournament appearance. He then served as head coach for the Fairfield Stags from 2011 to 2019. Johnson worked as associate head coach at Air Force during the 2020–21 season.
Beyond collegiate coaching, Johnson coached 3x3 basketball for USA Basketball and worked as an assistant coach for the Chicago Sky in the WNBA.