Montana’s Anthony Johnson, former Weber State basketball foil, dies at age 37
Photo supplied, University of Montana
In this undated photo, Montana guard Anthony Johnson dribbles during a game in Missoula, Mont. Johnson died Nov. 1, 2023, at age 37.Anthony Johnson, the former University of Montana men’s basketball guard who set records with an unforgettable performance at Weber State in 2010, died Wednesday due to complications after suffering a stroke, the university and others reported Thursday. He was 37 years old.
Johnson was in critical condition for nearly two weeks after suffering a stroke at his daughter’s birthday party on Oct. 21, MTN Sports reports. He leaves behind his wife, former Griz women’s player Shaunte Nance Johnson, three children, and a fourth on the way.
Johnson led Montana in scoring and assists in two years from 2008-10, earning All-Big Sky First Team honors both seasons.
Johnson’s basketball legend will forever be his performance in the 2010 Big Sky Tournament championship game. After Weber State built a 40-20 halftime lead, Johnson scored 34 points in the second half including a late, go-ahead bucket for a 66-65 win and NCAA Tournament berth.
His 42 total points set a Big Sky Tournament record and was the Dee Events Center’s single-game scoring record for 10 years. The DEC record stood until Jerrick Harding scored 44 points against Sacramento State in February 2020, a game in which he also became WSU’s all-time career scoring king.
A GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/2566afe6) created to support Johnson’s family had more than $33,000 worth of donations as of Thursday evening.