Why the Suns Retired Kevin Johnson's #7: Sacramento's Son and Phoenix's Heartbeat
Kevin Johnson spent 12 seasons as the Suns' franchise point guard, earning three All-Star selections and leading Phoenix to the 1993 Finals alongside Charles Barkley.

Kevin Johnson ist eine Basketball-Legende und eine der ikonischsten Figuren in der Geschichte der Phoenix Suns. Ausgebildet an der California. Sein Vermächtnis inspiriert weiterhin Generationen von Fans und Spielern auf der ganzen Welt.
Privatleben & Familie
Partner/in
Michelle Rhee
Kevin Johnson spent 12 seasons as the Suns' franchise point guard, earning three All-Star selections and leading Phoenix to the 1993 Finals alongside Charles Barkley.
Phoenix Suns
Abonnieren Sie für tiefgehende Spieleranalysen und Statistikauswertungen in Ihrem Postfach.
Newsletter abonnierenEltern & Geschwister
Abseits des Feldes
St. HOPE Academy (Sacramento charter school founder)
Community development initiatives in Sacramento
Significant youth mentorship programs
Wussten Sie schon?
Johnson grew up in Sacramento and later became the city's mayor from 2008 to 2016 — a full-circle journey that saw him transition from the city's most celebrated athlete to its highest elected official.
His first step was so quick that opposing coaches routinely designed defensive schemes specifically to stop his drive — a testament to how much his athleticism could destabilize an entire defensive game plan.
Johnson was part of the 1988 trade from Cleveland to Phoenix that is widely considered one of the most one-sided trades in NBA history — Phoenix essentially gave up very little and received a franchise point guard who would anchor their team for twelve seasons.
KJ's relationship with the Phoenix community extended well beyond basketball — his foundation and community work during and after his playing career established him as one of the franchise's most impactful figures in the city's history.
Karriereauszeichnungen
Avery Johnson went undrafted but led the Spurs in scoring during the 1999 NBA Finals, proving that hustle, speed, and leadership are their own kind of basketball greatness.
Magic Johnson didn't just win five championships — he transformed basketball into entertainment, built the Showtime dynasty, and saved the NBA from a ratings crisis. His #32 is the most culturally significant number in Lakers history.
© 2026 143 Basketball Haven