Kevin Johnson Rejoins Suns

PHOENIX, March 23 -- The Phoenix Suns announced today that three-time All-Star and 11-year NBA veteran Kevin Johnson will come out of retirement and rejoin the club. Johnson met with the media after the team's practice at 11:30 a.m. MT.

Johnson will be eligible to play in the postseason.

Originally acquired by the Suns on Feb. 25, 1988, Johnson played 11 NBA seasons and his 9.2 assists per game average is fourth in NBA history behind Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson and John Stockton. His career total of 6,687 assists ranks 10th on the NBA career assists list. He also averaged 18.0 points and shot .492 FG and .840 FT during his 11-year career.

Johnson was all smiles after announcing he would rejoin the Suns at a press conference Thursday. (Jeramie McPeek/Suns)

Winner of a gold medal for Team USA at the 1994 World Championships in Toronto, Johnson finished his career ranked third on the Suns' all-time scoring chart with 12,707 points and first in franchise history with 6,494 assists. In addition, he tops the Suns' record book in career free throws made (3,844) and attempts (4,572), and holds team marks with 25 assists in a game, set on April 6, 1994, against San Antonio, and 10 steals against Washington on Dec. 9, 1993.

The 1989 NBA Most Improved Player in his first full season with the Suns, Johnson finished his career fifth in NBA history with 9.2 assists per game, trailing only John Stockton, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson and Isiah Thomas. He averaged 20-plus points and 10-plus assists in three-straight seasons from 1988-91, becoming one of only five NBA players to accomplish the feat, along with Nate Archibald, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson and Isiah Thomas.

Johnson last played in the NBA in the 1997-98 season when he averaged 9.5 points over 50 games and helped the Suns to a 56-26 record.