Former University of Dayton forward Chris Johnson will sign a 10-day contract with the Boston Celtics, president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said Thursday.
Johnson has been playing for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League. The 6-foot-6 forward appeared in 20 games (all starts) for the Vipers and compiled averages of 19.4 points on 47-percent shooting and 6.8 rebounds per game.
Ainge told Boston reporters prior to Thursday's practice that Johnson will be signed Friday.
"Chris has been playing very well," Ainge said. "We need a wing player, someone that can shoot the ball. So Chris will add some depth to our team now."
Johnson is about to embark on his second NBA stint. He played eight games with the Memphis Grizzlies last season, with averages of 3.8 points and 1.4 rebounds.
He is Dayton's all-time leader in games played with 138.
Johnson is also only the second college basketball player in the past 20 years to accumulate 1,400 points, 800 rebounds, 300 offensive rebounds and 200 3-pointers while shooting at least 80 percent on free throws.
Johnson joins fellow UD alum and current New Orleans Pelicans guard Brian Roberts, a Toledo native, in the NBA. Roberts and Johnson are two of the 19 former Flyers who have played in the league.
Johnson is expected to join the Celtics in time for their home game Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
