VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University men’s basketball leading scorer and 2023 NJCAA All-American Caleb Johnson (N. Preston, Nova Scotia) signed to continue his basketball career next season at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville Ala. earlier this week.
“I felt Jacksonville State was a great atmosphere for me to be around,†Johnson said. “I felt that it was the best place for me to grow and develop into being a better version of myself.â€
Johnson definitely left his mark on the Vincennes University basketball program during his one season with the Blue and Gold, leading the Trailblazers by averaging 16.6 points per game and scoring in double-figures in 35 of VU’s 36 games this past season.
Johnson would also average 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, while also averaging one block and just under one steal per game as well.
Johnson came to Vincennes after spending the 2020-21 season at Williston State Community College in North Dakota and the 2021-22 season at Angelina College in Texas.
Johnson is one of just a handful of players in NJCAA history to earn All-Region honors three times and is most likely the only player to ever achieve this at three separate schools, earning All-Region 13 honors at Williston State and All-Region 14 honors at Angelina, before being named to the All-Region 24 team at VU.
The honors did not stop there for Johnson though, as Johnson would be named a 2023 NJCAA All-American in April, the 54th Men’s Basketball All-American in VU history and 18th under NJCAA Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Franklin.
Johnson is now the third member of last year’s VU squad to sign with an NCAA Division I program, following Tasos Cook (Columbus, Ohio) who signed with Campbell University and Shilo Jackson (Indianapolis, Ind.) who signed with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi earlier this year.
This trio of Division I signees helped guide the Trailblazers back to the NJCAA National Tournament for the 10th time in 11 seasons, finishing the season with a record of 30-6 and reaching the National Quarterfinals.
“This season as a whole, for me, was an experience I will never forget,†Johnson added. “My favorite moment was definitely watching the selection show and finding out we got to go to Hutch.â€
Johnson will be joining a Jacksonville State team that is coming off a 13-18 record last season and is just one year removed from winning the A-SUN regular season conference championship and earning a spot in the NCAA tournament under Head Coach Ray Harper.
Next season Johnson will help the Gamecocks as they transition into their first season playing in Conference USA next season.
“I feel that being at Vincennes University was a great overall experience for me,†Johnson said. “I feel that it helped me grow more as an individual and basketball player. Being surrounded by coaches that push you everyday not only on the court but also off is definitely a benefit and it really helped me grow as a student.â€
The Vincennes University Athletic Department would like to congratulate Caleb Johnson on his signing with Jacksonville State and wishes him good luck as he continues his basketball career next season.
