Andy Johnson played four solid, if not starring, seasons in the early days of the National Basketball Association. He made his NBA debut in 1958-59 for the Philadelphia Warriors as an undrafted small forward out of the University of Portland. Johnson was with the team until 1961, when he was selected by the Chicago Packers in an expansion draft. During his time with the Warriors, Johnson played with Hall of Famers like Wilt Chamberlain, Paul Arizin, Tom Gola, and Guy Rodgers. Perennially a second fiddle to the big stars of his teams, Johnson nevertheless averaged a solid 8.3 points, 2 assists, and nearly four rebounds per game during his three seasons in Philadelphia.

     The former Harlem Globetrotter enjoyed the best season of his career in 1961-62 with the Chicago Packers. The team, as is the custom with expansion franchises, struggled, although the emergence of star rookie and future Hall of Famer Walt Bellamy was a bright spot. Johnson, playing more than 30 minutes per game for the first time in his career, meshed well with the young center from Indiana. Johnson averaged 14.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, while helping Bellamy drag the hapless Packers to a record of 18-62. The 6’11” Bellamy averaged 31.6 points and 19 rebounds per game while leading the NBA in field goal percentage, more than living up to his reputation as the number one overall pick in the 1961 NBA Draft.

     Unfortunately for Johnson, who had just finished his age 29 season, no team picked him up for the 1962-63 season. Johnson, one of the growing number of African-American players in the Association, clearly had the skills and wherewithal to remain an NBA player, but instead he bounced between the American Basketball League and the Eastern Basketball Association before retiring in his late 30’s.

     This sleeveless jersey is white, with “Packers” sewn across the front in orange and black tackle twill. Johnson’s number “12” is sewn on the front and back of the jersey in orange and black tackle twill. A white and orange pattern rings the sleeve and collar openings. A MacGregor tag and a white tag with washing instructions have been sewn on the front left tail of the jersey. This jersey displays solid game use and comes with a full LOA from Mears, who have graded this jersey a perfect A10. This may be the only known GAME USED Packers jersey in the Hobby.

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