What do Jackie Johnson III and Matt Zona bring to the Bronx?
Read for stats, film breakdowns, and predictions for the upcoming season on Fordham's incoming transfers.
Jackie Johnson III, a transfer guard from UNLV, will join the Rams for his senior season. Fordham officially announced Johnson’s signing on May 3rd, and the article provides a great overview of Johnson’s career statistical highlights. Johnson began his career at Duquense in 2021 and averaged 9.5 PPG while posting several big-time scoring games (30, 27, 27). After his freshman year, he transferred to UNLV, where he was an off-the-bench scorer who provided intense defense. UNLV had a crowded guard room in 2022-23 and brought in talented freshman Dedan Thomas Jr. last year. Johnson was never able to break out of a bench role. Returning to the A-10 for his senior year, I’m sure Johnson will be hungry to carve out the largest role of his career.
Last season, Johnson averaged 5.4 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 0.9 APG in 14.6 minutes per game, while seeing action in all 32 games. He’s shown pure scoring ability all three years at the college level, with the ability to create for himself attacking the rim and tremendous three-point range. When he’s on the floor, he takes a high percentage of the team’s shots:
2022 at Duquesne: 27.6% of shots (1st on the team)
2023 at UNLV: 28.7% (2nd)
2024 at UNLV: 25.2% (1st)
This has translated to some big scoring games. Here are some of Johnson’s top statistical performances:
11/15/21 Weber State vs. Duquesne: 27 points (9-19 FG), 1 rebound, 1 steal
1/8/22 Duquesne vs. UMass: 27 points (10-14 FG), 4 assists, 2 rebounds
3/2/22 Duquesne vs. George Washington: 30 points (9-20 FG), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
3/4/23 UNLV vs. Nevada: 12 points (5-9 FG), 2 assists, go-ahead 3-point FG with 0:41 remaining in OT
11/21/23 UNLV vs. Richmond: 17 points (5-7 3pt FG), 1 assist
1/27/24 UNLV vs. San Jose State: 12 points (5-6 FG), 2 assists, 1 rebound
Johnson’s a lefty, and is evidently effective when playing to his strong hand:
The shot map tells the story here. Despite being listed at 5’11”, Johnson finishes at a decent rate at the rim for a short guard (58.8%). Fordham shot 53.1% at the rim as a team last season. Johnson shot 43.5% (10/23) on corner 3’s and 44% (11/25) on above-break 3’s from the left side, his two more effective spots from beyond the arc. Johnson’s three-point range is remarkable (video), and he’s a career 35.3% shooter from deep.
More highlights: elite middle school baller, high school, attacking the rim
In UNLV games I rewatched on YouTube, Johnson was referred to as a “defensive specialist” by announcers a few times when checking in. In 2022-23, he posted a 3.3% steal rate (92nd percentile in D1) before that number dropped to 1.6% last season. While his production on defense dropped last year, he will be counted on to be a disruptor on the perimeter, and the transition to Fordham’s physical defensive play style should only help that.
I feel confident saying Johnson will earn the largest role of his collegiate career this year. He has averaged 19.5, 13.4, and 14.6 minutes per game so far in his career. He will immediately step onto the roster as the most proven shooter at the college level. Fordham’s offense desperately needed a reliable shot-maker to turn to last season—initially, it was Japhet Medor, before Kyle Rose emerged. Johnson will be in that conversation this year. How big will his role be? Like just about everyone else on the roster, it’s hard to say. Combine Johnson’s energy on defense, his propensity to take a lot of shots when on the floor, his scoring ability, and Fordham’s need for scoring—it’s easy to envision him earning a large role this year.
Matt Zona comes to Fordham after spending four years at Notre Dame. Zona played under head coach Mike Brey for his first three seasons, and stuck around for Micah Shrewsberry’s first year at Notre Dame. During his time at ND, Zona completed his undergraduate degree in three years, completed his first Master’s degree, and plans to complete his second at Fordham. The school’s announcement of his commitment provides a nice background.
Zona and Will Richardson were high school teammates at Bergen Catholic High School in New Jersey (highlights). On the latest Keith Urgo podcast, Urgo discussed the strong relationship between the two and that Richardson still referred to him as his “old head.” One of Fordham’s stronger recruiting pitches in years past has been luring local players back to the NYC area, and familiarity with players already on the team helped as well.
Zona’s innate leadership abilities will help fill the void left by Kyle Rose and Antrell Charlton. It only helps that a player on the team (Richardson) already thinks highly of him as a leader. Urgo mentioned on his latest podcast that finding leadership qualities in incoming transfers was a priority for the program this offseason. Zona was named team captain at Notre Dame after their homecoming win over Clemson. Regarding his leadership, Coach Shrewsberry had this to say after the game (source):
“I’m using him [Zona] as an example for other guys about how you handle yourself when things might not be going your way. How you handle yourself as a teammate on a daily basis. How you come in and prepare to play, even though you might not play that much.”
Last year was Zona’s first season with a consistent off-the-bench role for the Irish. He averaged 2.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 0.5 APG in 11.3 minutes per game while appearing in all 33 games and starting in six. He was mostly used as a floor-stretching five under Shrewsberry. Rarely was Zona looking to operate underneath the basket on offense; he was usually positioned beyond the three-point line. He attempted 41 threes last season, compared to only 20 shots at the rim. At times, he was taken advantage of by more physical ACC front courts, but also showed that he was not a total liability when forced to switch on to guards. The step down to the A-10 should only help him.
Zona is a career 34.5% shooter from three who mostly looks for catch and shoot opportunities. He takes care of the basketball, averaging 0.2 turnovers per game with a 9.7% turnover rate (90th percentile) last season. Zona has struggled at the free-throw line throughout his career and is just a 48.4% (15/31) shooter. Zona played sparingly his first three seasons, but here are some of his top statistical performances:
3/4/23 Notre Dame vs. Clemson: 10 points (career high on 2-3 3pt FG), 5 rebounds, 1 assist
3/7/23 Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech (ACC Tournament): 9 points (3-4 3pt FG), 4 rebounds, 2 assists
11/17/24 Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma State: 2 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 27 minutes played
3/2/24 Clemson vs. Notre Dame: 6 points (2-3 3pt FG), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 28 minutes played (career high)
If you are a sicko like me and want to watch more highlights, I would check out Notre Dame’s games against Clemson (3/2/24 & 3/4/23), Oklahoma State (11/17/24), and Virginia Tech (3/7/23) on YouTube.
Zona’s experience will be an underrated asset with Fordham’s heavy non-conference slate this year. Shrewsberry leaned on Zona’s experience early last season, starting him in the first five games, including an overtime win over Oklahoma State where he logged 27 minutes. Zona’s play style is complimentary to Abdou Tsimbila and Jaden Smith, the other two guys expected to see time at the five this year for the Rams. While playing for Brey, Zona saw time at the four against bigger lineups thanks to his catch-and-shoot ability. I can see him playing alongside Tsimbila or Smith in a bigger lineup while providing a lot of versatility, or holding down the five himself, allowing Fordham to play small. Regardless, Zona’s impact this year will go far beyond the number of minutes he plays or points he scores.
Stats referenced throughout the article are from kenpom.com and cbbanalytics.com.
I’ll post a full season preview and breakdown closer to the start of the season.
Scheduling Updates
St. John’s sources are indicating that Fordham will open the season against St. John’s at Carnesecca Arena on November 4th.
Fordham will play Bryant at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT on December 14th as a part of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase.
Fordham will host Albany on Saturday, December 21st.