Marques Johnson

Marques Johnson named finalist for 2021 Hall of Fame class

March 10, 2021 By Bill Scott

Marques Johnson

Former Milwaukee Bucks standout Marques Johnson was named one of 14 finalists for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2021.

Johnson was also a finalist in 2020 but fell short of induction. The 2021 class will be announced on May 16.

Johnson spent 11 seasons in the NBA, the first seven of which with the Bucks, after being selected with the 3rd overall pick in the 1977 NBA Draft. The former Bucks great was named a five-time NBA All-Star.

Johnson’s best season came in 1978 when he averaged 25.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists a game. He shot 55% from the field. For his career, Johnson averaged 20.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

Johnson went on to play three seasons with the Clippers and one year with Golden State before a neck injury cut his career short.

Johnson was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 and had his jersey number-8 retired two years ago.

Johnson is now a color commentator with the Bucks on Fox Sports Wisconsin.

Bucks keep rolling with win at Orlando, Johnson to have jersey retired

January 20, 2019 By Bill Scott

Eric Bledsoe poured in a season high 30 points on 12 of 14 shooting to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to their fourth straight win, 118-108 over the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center in Orlando on Saturday night.

The Bucks led by as many as 19 points in the third quarter before Orlando chipped away and trailed by as little as two points early in the fourth. That’s when Bledsoe took over, scoring 12 of his 30 points in the final quarter.

Giannis Antetokounmpo added 25 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. Malcolm Brogdon added 18 points on 8 of 11 shooting and D.J. Wilson finished with eight points and 10 rebounds off the bench.

The Bucks closed out their stretch of five out of six games on the road with a 5-1 record. They return home for a pair of games, starting with a 1 p.m. tip against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday at Fiserv Forum.

Bucks to retire Johnson’s No. 8

The Milwaukee Bucks announced that they will retire Marques Johnson’s jersey No. 8, making him the ninth Bucks player to be so honored. He’ll be the first player to have his number retired since the Bucks opened Fiserv Forum.

The ceremony will take place Sunday, March 24th when the Bucks take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. That’s the day before Johnson’s mother will be celebrating her 92nd birthday.

Johnson played for the Bucks from 1977-’84 and averaged 21.0 points a game, which ranks fourth-most in team history. His jersey retirement is considered by most as long overdue.

Bucks adjust TV broadcast team

September 15, 2015 By Bill Scott

The Milwaukee Bucks and FOX Sports Wisconsin (FSW) announced the additions of Gus Johnson and Marques Johnson to the Bucks broadcast team, bringing a pair of nationally-recognized voices to the broadcast booth to join long-time commentators Jim Paschke and Jon McGlocklin, who return for their 30th season of calling Bucks action together.

Gus Johnson returns to the N-B-A for the first time since 2010 and is expected to call about 20 games this season. Marques Johnson returns to the Bucks franchise where he enjoyed a storied career during the late ’70s and early ’80s. He’ll appear on 55 Bucks’ telecasts as an analyst.

Thirty-year play-by-play man Jim Paschke is reducing his schedule, but will return. Bucks’ legend Jon McGlocklin is back for about 25 games.

Former Bucks star Sidney Moncrief will no longer appear on the T-V broadcasts but will still have a role with the team.