Stockton Kings General Manager Paul Johnson Named 2022-23 NBA G League Basketball Executive Of The Year

STOCKTON, Calif. – Today, the NBA G League announced Stockton Kings General Manager Paul Johnson as the 2022-23 NBA G League Basketball Executive of the Year, as voted on by NBA G League basketball executives.  

“This has been an incredibly exciting season in Stockton and it is a honor to be recognized by the NBA G League and my peers,” said Stockton Kings General Manager Paul Johnson. “I especially want to thank our front office, Anjali Ranadivé, Coach Bobby Jackson and the entire team for their hard work on and off the court.”

“Paul’s experience in evaluating and developing basketball talent, coupled with his innovative thinking and thoughtful approach to decision making, has been critical to the Stockton Kings success this season,” said Sacramento Kings General Manager Monte McNair. “He is an integral part of this organization and tremendously deserving of this recognition.”

Johnson becomes the first executive in Stockton history to earn the award after leading basketball operations for the last two seasons. This season, Johnson oversaw a team that finished with the best regular season record (25-7), matched the franchise single-season record for victories with regular season wins and showcase wins combined (37), and earned the No. 1 overall seed and home court advantage for the first time in team history in the NBA G League Playoffs presented by Google Pixel.

Johnson executed several key player acquisitions this season. In October, Johnson acquired the returning player rights to center Chance Comanche (13.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.5 bpg) and forward Deonte Burton (12.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg). Guard Trey Burke (15.5 ppg, 3.9 apg) was acquired in December and guard Jordan Ford (14.7 ppg, 4.6 apg) joined the Kings via player rights exchange with the Ontario Clippers in August. Two-way guard Keon Ellis (16.7 ppg, 3.3 apg) and two-way center Neemias Queta (16.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.9 bpg) were also key contributors for the top-seeded Kings. 

Stockton led the NBA G League in field goal percentage (51.2%), 3-point field goal percentage (38.8%) and free throw percentage (80.8%). In addition, the Kings finished the regular season averaging 118.3 points per game which ranked sixth-best in the league, ranked seventh in assists per game (27.0), and placed fourth for blocks per game (6.5). 

Prior to being named General Manager for the Stockton Kings, Johnson served as the Assistant General Manager of the Oklahoma City Blue. Previously, Johnson served as Pro Evaluation Coordinator for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has also worked as a Referee Operations Analyst with the NBA. Johnson played collegiate basketball at La Salle University from 2005-09 in the Atlantic 10 Conference, where he was team captain. Johnson also holds a J.D. from Howard University.

In celebration of the honor, Johnson will be presented with the NBA G League Basketball Executive of the Year award at Stockton Arena before tipoff on March 30. The Stockton Kings will face the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the G League semifinals at 7 p.m. PT. 

For more information, visit StocktonKings.com.