Former Valparaiso forward Cory Johnson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East [Iowa State]) has signed a professional contract with the WCAA Giants of the Dutch Basketball League.  Johnson becomes the 33rd Crusader since 1993 to advance to the professional ranks.

Johnson closed his two-year Crusader career with 979 points and 333 rebounds, averaging 14.8 ppg, good for 12th all-time in Valpo basketball history.  The forward connected at a 51.9% clip from the floor over his two seasons, ranking seventh in Crusader history in that category as well. 

Johnson joined the Crusaders as a junior for the 2009-2010 season, posting 15.6 ppg and 5.8 rpg as he earned a spot on the All-Horizon League Second Team, as well as the league’s All-Newcomer Team.  Last season, he helped lead Valpo to its tenth postseason berth in the last 16 years, recording 14.1 ppg and 4.4 rpg as the Crusaders earned a home game in the CIT.

Johnson will join the WCAA Giants for the 2011-2012 season, which kicks off in late September.  The Giants are part of the 10-team Dutch Basketball League, the highest professional basketball league in the Netherlands.  Johnson won’t be the only familiar face to Crusader fans on his squad, as the Giants also recently signed former Green Bay guard Rahmon Fletcher.