The Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday they have assigned former Missouri State star Alize Johnson to its G League affiliate.
Johnson — a 2018 second-round draft pick — will play for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
The former Bear was the 50th overall pick during the summer's NBA Draft. He was the first Bear to be selected since Winston Garland was selected in 1987.
Johnson has appeared in three Indiana Pacers games this season and averaged three minutes in those games. He averaged 0.7 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.
The forward signed a fully guaranteed deal for the 2018-19 season in July which gives him an estimated $838,464 this season on a minimum contract. The second year on his contract is non-guaranteed.
Johnson became a fan favorite in Indiana after his five Summer League games where some called him a possible steal with the No. 50 pick in the NBA Draft.
He averaged 12.4 points and a team-best 8.4 rebounds per game. He scored in double figures four times. In his first start with the team, he earned his first double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
In Johnson's two years at Missouri State, he became one of the best players in school history.
Johnson was the first Bear drafted since Winston Garland was picked in the 1987 NBA Draft.
Johnson finished his Missouri State career with 37 double-doubles in two seasons. He finished his career averaging 14.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.
He finished his senior year fifth nationally in rebounds per game and sixth in total rebounds with 384.
