Wesley Johnson played forward at Syracuse University for one season. He was an extremely athletic player with amazing leaping ability, combined with an excellent jump shot and rebounding instincts. Johnson was a crowd pleaser with an ever present contagious smile, and a quiet nature. He was a decent defender, with the only knock on his game being that he was not very adept putting the ball down and driving to the hoop.

Johnson started his collegiate career at Iowa State University where he earned a reputation as being an excellent rebounder. Johnson would start 30 of the 31 games he played his freshman year, and would earn a berth on the Big Ten All Rookie Team. His sophomore season, he would injure his ankle which would hamper him all season, and force him to miss five games. Nevertheless, he still was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten. He would score a career high 24 points against Nebraska that season. After his sophomore season, he would transfer to Syracuse, bringing with him career averages of 12.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, and shooting 76.5% from the free throw line.

Johnson would have to red shirt a year at Syracuse after transferring. Coach Jim Boeheim was touting that Johnson was an outstanding player, and everyone would be surprised how good he was when he would be eligible to play. However most ignored Boeheim's comments as typical coach hype. How wrong they would be.

Johnson's junior season would mirror the team; nobody gave any of them any recognition prior to the season. It would not take the nation long to realize how good Johnson was. Syracuse played in the preseason NIT tournament, and Johnson would be the tournament MVP with outstanding efforts against ranked California and North Carolina. Johnson dazzled the tournament with a superb combination of high flying rebounds and dunks, mixed with excellent mid range and three point shooting.

Johnson's success would carry over into the Big East season, and he was quickly gaining recognition as one of the top players in the country. This despite the fact that Johnson was one of the most unselfish players in Syracuse history. He never demanded the ball, and averaged less than 12 shots a game, despite being one of the best. He would hurt his thumb in the Providence game on February 2nd, an injury that did not seem significant at the time. However, his hand would swell up, and while he did not miss any games, his ability to hold the ball was hampered. His shooting and rebounding would slip, and while still performing at a very high level, he was not able to be as dominating.

Johnson's hand would heal by the end of the regular season, and he started to regain his touch. He would lead the Orange in scoring in all four post season games, including a career high 31 points against Gonzaga in the second round of the NCAA. In only 31 minutes of play, he would hit 11 of 16 shots, including four of six from three point range, and add 14 points as the Orange would easily beat the Zags.

Johnson would be named the Big East Player of the Year, beating out Villanova's Scottie Reynolds, and to the All Big East First Team. He would also be named to the AP and USBWA First Team All-American teams.

It was not a surprise that Johnson declared early entry to the NBA draft following the season. He was already 23 years old (because of his prep school and transfer), and was already recognized as one of the top players in the country. He was drafted in the 1st round of the 2010 NBA draft with the 4th overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Johnson would be a starter in Minnesota for two injury riddled seasons. He would be traded to the Phoenix Suns in a multi-team deal for the 2012-2013 season, and would play for the Lakers from the 2013-2014 season to 2014-2015. Johnson moved across town and played for the Los Angeles Clippers from 2015-16 through 2017-18. Johnson would split time with Washington and New Orleans in 2018-19.

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