Derek Johnson, a small forward from Conroe, Texas, signed with the University of Evansville on September 5th, 2008, choosing them over offers from teams like Missouri State, Northern Illinois, Stephen F. Austin, Liberty, and Colorado.  A three/four forward, Derek can post up smaller players or face opponents up off of the dribble.  He's a very good screener, and his strength is his perimeter game and his ability to come off of screens.  His father Darrel Johnson, who also happens to be his high school coach and a scout for the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, thinks Derek's "game's perfect for their motion offense."

 

     Derek had this to say about why he chose the Purple Aces:  "The atmosphere is great there. Evansville is a school of about 2,500 students but the basketball games average over 5,000, and they had a losing record (last year). That goes to show how much the people of Evansville support and believe in Coach Simmons' ability to turn the program into a winning one. I can only imagine what it will be like when things are turned around.  I want to help (UE) be a winner again."