Huntsville native RJ Johnson heading to SEC basketball program

The former Kennesaw State star will continue his college career at Mississippi State.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:34pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game or match, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors, conceptually representing the dynamic and multifaceted nature of the sport.RJ Johnson's transfer to the SEC represents a new chapter in the Huntsville native's basketball journey.Huntsville Today

RJ Johnson, a standout basketball player from Huntsville, Alabama, has committed to join the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the Southeastern Conference after a successful career at Kennesaw State. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 14.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4 assists per game for the Owls last season, earning first-team all-conference honors and tournament MVP.

Why it matters

Johnson's transfer to an SEC program represents an opportunity for the Huntsville native to showcase his talents on a bigger stage and potentially improve his professional prospects. His addition to Mississippi State's roster could also help bolster the team's performance in the highly competitive SEC conference.

The details

After three standout seasons at Kennesaw State, where he was a first-team all-conference selection and tournament MVP, RJ Johnson has decided to transfer to Mississippi State in the SEC. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 14.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4 assists per game for the Owls last season, including a career-high 32 points in a regular-season game against Sam Houston.

  • RJ Johnson entered the transfer portal on March 29, 2026.
  • Johnson announced his commitment to Mississippi State on April 12, 2026.

The players

RJ Johnson

A 6-foot-4 guard from Huntsville, Alabama, who had a standout career at Kennesaw State before entering the transfer portal and committing to Mississippi State.

Antoine Pettway

The head coach of the Kennesaw State basketball team, who coached RJ Johnson during his time with the Owls.

Gonzaga

The NCAA Division I men's basketball team that defeated Kennesaw State in the first round of the 2026 NCAA tournament, where RJ Johnson recorded 15 points and 4 assists.

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What’s next

Johnson will look to make an immediate impact for the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the 2026-27 season as he continues his college basketball career in the SEC.

The takeaway

RJ Johnson's transfer to Mississippi State represents an opportunity for the Huntsville native to showcase his talents on a bigger stage and potentially improve his professional prospects. His addition to the Bulldogs' roster could also help bolster the team's performance in the highly competitive SEC conference.