Orlando Johnson was named first general manager in program history in June 2025.
In Johnson’s first year in Pullman, the teams’ offensive firepower was on display. The Cougs averaged 76.1 points per game, the fourth highest in program history. This was powered by 303 total 3-pointers, the fourth most in program history, which subsequently resulted in the seventh-largest point total in program history. Johnson helped develop star freshman guard Ace Glass to All-WCC Freshman Team and All-WCC Second Team honors. Johnson also helped center ND Okafor take an offensive jump in Okafor’s second year with Wazzu, where he jumped from averaging 5.6 points per game to 11 points. Okafor took home All-WCC Honorable Mention honors as a result of his performance.
Johnson began his collegiate career with Loyola Marymount and led his team in both points and rebounds, averaging 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds. He sat out his sophomore season due to NCAA transfer rules after transferring to University of California, Santa Barbara. In his first season with the Gauchos, Johnson averaged 18 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while leading Santa Barbara to the 2010 Big West Conference men's basketball tournament title and an NCAA Tournament appearance. The following season he averaged 21.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and was again named first team All-Big West. He also led the Gauchos to another conference tournament title and NCAA tournament appearance, again earning Big West tournament MVP honors.
Johnson began his professional career being drafted 36th overall by the Sacramento Kings and traded on draft night to the Indiana Pacers. Johnson had stints in the G League with the Mad Ants. After a stint with the Pacers and their G League affiliate, he signed multiple 10-day contracts with the Kings.
After his initial NBA tenure, he had a brief stint with the Laboral Kutxa Vitoria, a Spanish team. He returned to the NBA after signing with the Austin Spurs and was named to the West All-Star team for the 2016 NBA D-League All-Star Game.
After stints with the NBA, G League, the Lebanese Basketball League, the Bosnian League, the Super Basketball League, VTB United League, the National Basketball League and the Philippine Basketball Association, Johnson retired from professional basketball in 2024.