Milwaukee Bucks, Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Mar 4, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) looks for a shot against Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks met Wednesday night at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it must have felt like a homecoming for Hawks NBA All-Star forward Jalen Johnson.
The 24-year-old Johnson is a native of Wausau and played two years of high school basketball for Sun Prairie High School in Sun Prairie.
Before the Bucks game, Johnson opened up about his desire to help Wisconsin get more notice in the basketball scene, as he felt the state is being overlooked despite the talented players it’s been consistently producing.
“Most importantly, I just want to show everybody in the world that Wisconsin is on the map for basketball,” Johnson said (h/t Scott Grodsky of CBS 58 Sports).
“A lot of times, at least growing up, I felt like Wisconsin was always overlooked as far as talent-wise. I always felt like we were one of the states that were always very underrated. Just for me to continue to put us on the map and along with the other guys in the NBA as well, I feel like we’re doing a good job and we continue to wear that badge of honor.”
"I just want to show everybody in the world that Wisconsin is on the map for basketball."
NBA All-Star Jalen Johnson felt Wisconsin talent was overlooked growing up and players like himself, Tyler Herro, Tyrese Haliburton wear the title "Wisconsin native" like a badge of honor. pic.twitter.com/ma5KmQHNUI
— Scott Grodsky (@ScottGrodsky) March 4, 2026
Johnson’s Hawks top Bucks on Wednesday
Johnson played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils but got offers as well from the Wisconsin Badgers, Arizona Wildcats and Kentucky Wildcats. He entered the NBA in 2021, when he was selected 20th overall in the first round of the draft by the Hawks.
As for the Bucks game, Johnson helped Atlanta take down Milwaukee, 131-113. He finished with 20 points on 7/17 shooting from the floor with nine assists and five rebounds in 34 minutes of action.
Milwaukee Bucks, Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Mar 4, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Atlanta forward Jalen Johnson (1) looks for a shot against Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng (21) in the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
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