The Rafters, Class of 2011: Arthur Johnson

Arthur Johnson (2000-04)

2000-01: 9.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.0 BPG
2001-02: 12.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.0 BPG
2002-03: 16.1 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.8 BPG
2003-04: 16.4 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.6 BPG

At 6’9" and at least 275 pounds, Arthur Johnson combined impressive size with surprising mobility and became one of the most productive players in Mizzou history. Blessed with soft hands and a deep arsenal of post moves, Johnson surprised on-lookers in his freshman year by becoming the most prolific shot blocker ever at Missouri. In fact, he holds the number one, two, three and six positions for single-season blocked shots in Tiger history. But Johnson could do far more than swat shots. In his first season, he made the Big 12 all-freshman team, and as a sophomore, Johnson was a key player in Missouri’s late-season surge. He recorded 18 points and 14 rebounds in a win over 12th-ranked Oklahoma State that helped the Tigers sneak into the NCAA Tournament field, and later he posted 14 points and 14 boards in MU’s Sweet Sixteen triumph over UCLA. As a junior, with Kareem Rush and Clarence Gilbert gone, Johnson became a full-fledged star, averaging 16.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, and capping the season with a 28-point, 18-rebound effort against Marquette in the NCAA Tournament. In his final year, the team struggled, but Johnson continued to shine, especially late the year as the Tigers tried to resurrect their season. He tallied 29 points and 13 rebounds in a crucial win over sixth-ranked Oklahoma State, and he later scored 37 points in his final home game, a heartbreaking two-point loss to Kansas. Johnson holds Missouri’s all-time records for rebounds (1,083) and blocked shots (245), and he ranks fifth in points scored (1,759).

Michael Atchison: The first time I saw Arthur Johnson in person was at what passed for midnight madness his freshman year. My first thought was "that kid could shed some pounds." My next was "despite the weight, the kid can really move." My third was "he has some soft hands." My fourth was "he’s going to be really good."

Really good he was. And underappreciated. Arthur Johnson grabbed more rebounds and blocked more shots than any other Missouri player ever has, and he scored more points than all but Derrick Chievous, Doug Smith, Anthony Peeler and Steve Stipanovich. He is, without question, one of the most statistically dominant players ever to wear the uniform.

Here’s the thing: He could have scored more. He should have scored more. But AJ played two years with Clarence Gilbert and Kareem Rush (who rank third and tenth all-time in field goal attempts) and four years with Rickey Paulding (sixth). At a time when three-pointers were being launched with little discretion, Arthur Johnson was a pillar in the post, calling for a ball that came too infrequently.

A player like AJ fails to get his due sometimes because his teams disappointed. But think of this: Where would those teams have been without him? Not in the Elite Eight, for sure. Not in an overtime shootout against Dwyane Wade and Marquette. Probably not in the NCAA Tournament. Arthur Johnson put up historic numbers despite what was happening around him, and he carried inconsistent teams a long way on his own.

Look at the roster today. What’s the one thing Mizzou could use most? A man like AJ.

The man’s gone, but his shadow remains, flying over the court from the rafters.