Tennessee State head men’s basketball coach Nolan Smith announced the addition of former NBA veteran and nationally recognized standout DerMarr Johnson as an assistant coach beginning with the 2025–26 season.
Johnson brings more than 16 years of professional playing experience, including seven seasons in the National Basketball Association, along with impactful coaching and player development experience at the collegiate level.
Prior to joining Tennessee State, Johnson spent two seasons on staff at West Virginia (2022–24), contributing to player development, scouting preparation, and program operations. He previously served as Director of Player Development at the University of Cincinnati, where he oversaw individualized development plans while strengthening alumni relations and player mentorship initiatives.
A Washington, D.C., native, Johnson rose to national prominence as one of the top high school players in the country at Maine Central Institute, earning Parade National High School Player of the Year honors and consensus All-America recognition. He went on to play at Cincinnati under Hall of Fame coach Bob Huggins during the 1999–2000 season, averaging 13.0 points per game while helping lead the Bearcats to a 29–4 record, a Conference USA regular-season championship, and a No. 1 national ranking for 12 weeks.
Johnson was selected sixth overall in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks and went on to play seven NBA seasons with the Hawks, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, and San Antonio Spurs, appearing in 344 career games. His professional career was highlighted by resilience and longevity following a serious automobile accident early in his career, ultimately extending his playing career internationally through 2016.
Following his playing career, Johnson returned to Cincinnati as a student assistant coach while completing his bachelor’s degree in 2019, officially launching his coaching career at the collegiate level.
Known for his elite basketball IQ, player mentorship, and professional experience at the highest levels of the game, Johnson adds championship pedigree and developmental expertise to the Tennessee State men’s basketball program.
