Portland State Men's Basketball Coach Jase Coburn has announced the signing of Dennis Johnson III for the 2026-27 basketball season.
 
Johnson is a sophomore transfer who played at Western Washington University this past season. The 6-3 guard was the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year after averaging 12.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals. Johnson was a two-time GNAC Player of the Week and earned GNAC honorable mention recognition.
 
"Dennis is a very competitive and talented player. He has an extremely high ceiling to what he can do and is just scratching the surface on his abilities as a player," said Coburn.
 
"You could see how he got better, statistically, game-by-game last season. He brings a lot to the table in terms of being able to score, make plays for others and rebound."
 
Originally from Seattle, Johnson attended Renton High School. He then went to Phoenix Prep and played club basketball with Beauchamp Elite, Prodigy Basketball and Renton Select.
 
Johnson was a two-time league Most Valuable Player as a junior and senior and earned second team All-State honors as a junior. As a senior at Phoenix Prep he averaged 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
 
Johnson joins a Portland State program that won the Big Sky Conference regular season championship in 2025-26 (20-11/13-5) and is led by Big Sky Coach of the Year Jase Coburn. 
 
GRANT-IN-AID SIGNING
Dennis Johnson III, G, 6-3, 185, SO, TR, Seattle, WA (Phoenix Prep/Western Washington)
 
PREVIOUS SIGNINGS
Trevor Frank, G, 6-1, 180, SR, TR, Katy, TX (Paetow HS/Dallas Baptist) – April 15
Emil Skyttä, G, 6-5, 200, SR, TR, Helsinki, Finland (PHYK/Sacramento State/North Dakota State) – April 15
Pronunciation: EE-mill SCOOT-uh