DENVER – Coming off one of the best individual seasons in the Pioneers' modern Division I era, 2025-26 Summit League Player of the Year and rising junior Carson Johnson announced on Thursday that he will be returning to Denver's roster next season.
"I'm super excited to continue to play in-front of the Pio fans that truly embraced me," Johnson said. "I couldn't be happier about the opportunity to play in the WCC next year and help make this conference transition with the coaches that believed in me from the beginning."
Denver's first conference player of the year since 2004-05, Johnson averaged 20.1 points and 3.0 assists in 35.6 minutes per game in his first season with the Pioneers. Johnson put his name all over Denver's single-season record book, finishing the campaign second in Denver's Modern DI history in scoring (642), fourth in field goals made (210), third in three-pointers made (87), sixth in free-throws made (135) and fifth in free-throw percentage (88.2). Combing both of Denver's eras at the top level of college basketball that was interrupted by stints in both the NAIA and the Division II level, Johnson's 642 points rank fourth in program history.
"I couldn't be happier to keep Carson on this roster," head coach Tim Bergstraser said. "He's an incredible human, true competitor and proven winner that has grown into an amazing leader for us. He's deeply invested in DU as we transition to the WCC. With Carson, and other meaningful returners, we are eager to build a competitive roster as we grow as a program."
In addition to becoming the second conference player of the year in the program's modern DI era, Johnson was only the second conference Freshman or Newcomer of the Year in the program's modern DI era. Johnson also became the 12th all-league first team selection, and just the fifth in Denver's stint in the Summit League. The Ankeny, Iowa, native was the third underclassman to be named to an all-league first team in DU's modern DI era, joining Wahhab Carter (Sun Belt – 2000) and Chris Udofia (Sun Belt – 2012).
Having played and started in all 32 games, Johnson finished with 18 games with 20-plus points, including 10 of his last 12 in the regular season. Johnson ranked in the top-10 in the country to end the regular season in most 20-plus point games. On February 15, Johnson reached 1,000 carer points in just his 51st career game. If all 51 games had been played at Denver, Johnson would hold the Pioneers' DI record for the fastest to 1,000 career points. Johnson is on pace to reach 1,000 career points in a Denver uniform in 50 games, two games faster than Pioneer record holder Tommy Bruner (2022-24).
The Minnesota State Moorhead transfer joined Denver last offseason, coming to the Mile High City campus with his Division II head coach, associate head coach and three other Dragons' teammates. In his one season at MSUM, Johnson had his redshirt pulled midway through the season and less than 48 hours later dropped 22 points in his collegiate debut. Johnson went on to average 19.8 points per contest, netting 12 20-plus point performances in his 23 games. The 6-1 guard became the first freshman in league history to be named NSIC Tournament MVP, while also earning spots on the All-NSIC First Team, the NABC All-Central District First Team and the NCAA Central Regional All-Tournament Team.
In Denver's first season under Bergstraser, Johnson and the Pioneers took on the 32nd most difficult non-conference schedule in the country en-route to a 15-17 regular season, and an 8-8 mark in Summit League play. The Pioneers earned non-conference road wins at Montana State, Colorado State and Northern Colorado, teams that went 34-7 against other opponents on their home floor this season. Denver's two wins over in-state foes made the Pioneers the only program in Colorado to go unbeaten in, in-state match-ups in 2025-26. In conference play, Denver overcame a 2-5 start to league play to finish .500 or better in the Summit League for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign.
As a team, Denver produced one of its best offensive years in its entire history of top-flight basketball, finishing second in scoring (2,650 points), third in field goals made (927), second in three-pointers made (283), seventh in free-throws made (513) and breaking the school record in free-throw percentage (77.3%). Denver turned out two scoring outputs in the top-5 of Denver's scoring chart against DI opponents in the modern era, scoring 98 against both Oral Roberts and at North Dakota.
Fans came out to watch the new attractive style of offensive basketball in the Mile High City this season, producing the highest marks for total attendance (14,725) and average attendance (1,020) since the 2018-19 campaign, the program's last full season in Magness Arena.
Denver men's basketball, along with eight other Pioneer athletic programs, will join the West Coast Conference next season. Secure season tickets for Denver's first season in the WCC today by clicking here.
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