Isaiah Johnson Close to Colorado Basketball Legacy
If Isaiah Johnson can maintain his health and continue to perform at a high level, he is on the verge of breaking a Colorado men's basketball record that has stood for 16 years. After scoring a career-high 27 points in Saturday's overtime loss to the No. 22 BYU Cougars, the rookie from California now has 430 points on the season, placing him fifth on Colorado's all-time freshman single-season scoring list. The record, currently held by Alec Burks with 512 points (2009-10), could soon be challenged by Johnson.
With five regular season matchups remaining before the Big 12 Tournament, Johnson has at least six games to score the 83 points needed to break Burks' record. The math suggests he needs to average 13.8 points per game, but he is currently averaging 16.5 points per contest. Coach Tad Boyle expressed his belief in Johnson's potential during a recent interview.
"Isaiah Johnson is the best freshman in the country that nobody talks about," Boyle said, according to CUBuffs.com. "I believe he'll be an NBA player someday."
Colorado Men's Basketball's Freshman Scoring Record
Johnson is now just 24 points away from tying McKinley Wright IV for fourth on Colorado's freshman single-season scoring list. Another 11 points will place him ahead of Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups. Here is the current ranking:
- Alec Burks, 512 (2009-10)
- Richard Roby, 480 (2004-05)
- Chauncey Billups, 465 (1995-96)
- McKinley Wright IV, 454 (2017-18)
- Isaiah Johnson, 430 (2025-26)
Other standout freshmen Johnson has surpassed include Emmett Lewis (389), Spencer Dinwiddie (360), Cody Williams (286), and Andre Roberson (256).
"He's obviously undersized, but he's got the heart of a lion," Boyle said, per KSL Sports. "He can finish with contact. He missed some shots tonight that he normally makes, but I'll go to war with him."
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Johnson hit a career-high 10 field goals against BYU and is now shooting 49 percent on the season, including 38.1 percent from deep. He has scored at least 10 points in all but two games this season.
Colorado fell to 14-12 overall and 4-9 in Big 12 play following its sixth straight road loss on Saturday.
“We had a team meeting, just with the players. We just talked about certain things we needed to get done,” Johnson said, per BuffZone. “We talked about all week holding each other accountable, being able to play hard and play with Colorado on our chests and not the name on the back.”
Isaiah Johnson's Path to 513
A wild tear isn't necessary for Johnson to break Burks' scoring record. While scoring won't come easy against No. 3 Houston and No. 1 Arizona, Johnson and the Buffs have three manageable regular season matchups ahead against Oklahoma State, Kansas State, and Utah.
Colorado will first host Oklahoma State on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. MT.
