If you’ve spent any time watching Mountain West basketball lately, you might’ve noticed something kind of weird happening in Logan. Specifically, a 6-foot-6 presence that doesn’t just sit in the paint and wait for rebounds. We’re talking about Gracie Johnson Utah State’s sophomore forward who is basically rewriting the prototype for what an Aggie big looks like. Honestly, the stats she’s putting up are a total anomaly in the women's college game right now.
She isn't just tall.
She’s a "unicorn" in the truest sense of the word. Most players her height are traditional rim protectors, but Gracie is out here hitting three-pointers at a clip that makes guards jealous. In fact, she’s part of an elite group—one of only 25 players since the early '80s—standing 6-foot-5 or taller to shoot over 35 percent from behind the arc on at least one attempt per game. That’s a massive deal for spacing.
Why Gracie Johnson Utah State is a Statistical Anomaly
People usually look at a 6-foot-6 player and expect double-doubles every night. But with Gracie, you have to look at the per-minute impact. During the 2024-25 season, she was averaging around 2.6 points and 2.6 rebounds, which might look modest on a box score. But then you see the defensive side. She tied the Utah State program record with eight blocks in a single game against Boise State. Eight.
Imagine trying to drive the lane and meeting a wall that tall with that kind of timing.
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It’s not just a fluke. She’s already climbing the all-time leaderboards. By the middle of her sophomore year, she had 59 career blocks, putting her within striking distance of the school’s top 10 list. She’s following in the footsteps of Deja Mason, another legendary Aggie shot-blocker, but with an added offensive wrinkle: the 37% shooting from deep.
The Nyssa Roots and a Family of Hoopers
The athleticism didn't just appear out of nowhere. Gracie comes from Nyssa, Oregon, and the Johnson family tree is basically rooted in the hardwood. Her dad, Darren, played for the Utah State men’s team back in the early '90s. Her brothers, Isaac and Spencer, are also deep in the college basketball world—Isaac actually plays for the USU men’s team right now, and Spencer had a standout career at BYU.
Growing up as the sister of three older brothers meant she got pushed around. A lot.
"I got pushed down a lot," she’s admitted in interviews. That toughness shows up when she’s battling for position in the Mountain West, even though she’s still working on filling out her frame.
- Height: 6'6"
- Hometown: Nyssa, OR
- Career High Blocks: 8 (Tied school record)
- Unique Stat: 35%+ from 3-point range at 6'5"+
More Than Just a Basketball Player
Back in high school at Nyssa, Gracie was a literal Swiss Army knife. She wasn't just the basketball star who averaged 20 points and 14 rebounds as a senior. She was also a track standout. And not just in the high jump (where you’d expect a tall person to excel). She actually placed third in the state for the 200 meters and 400 meters.
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Think about that. A 6-foot-6 athlete sprinting 200 meters against some of the fastest girls in Oregon and beating almost all of them. That raw speed is why she’s so dangerous in transition at Utah State. She can beat other centers down the floor before they’ve even turned around.
The Evolution of the Aggie Defense
Coach Kayla Ard and the staff have had to figure out how to best utilize this specific skill set. Since Gracie is "tall and skinny" (as her high school coach once put it), she isn't always going to win the 250-pound wrestling match under the rim. Instead, her value comes from her mobility.
When Gracie Johnson Utah State is on the floor, the defense changes. Opponents can't just loft entries over the top because her wingspan is massive. And on the other end, she forces opposing centers to come out to the perimeter. If they stay in the paint, she drains a three. If they come out, she opens up the lane for guards like Cheyenne Stubbs to drive.
Looking at the Numbers
| Category | Freshman Year (23-24) | Sophomore Year (24-25) |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 2.9 | 2.6 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 2.9 | 2.6 |
| Blocks Per Game | 1.8 | 1.1 |
| 3-Point % | 66.7% (low volume) | 37.0% |
| Free Throw % | 91.7% | 50.0% |
The free-throw shooting is an interesting one. As a freshman, she was nearly automatic at 91.7%. That’s unheard of for a center. While that number dipped a bit in her second year, the fact that she has that touch indicates her ceiling is incredibly high. Most bigs are lucky to hit 60% from the line.
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What’s Next for Gracie?
The big goal for Gracie is clearly strength and consistency. She’s already one of only four players in Utah State history to have multiple games with 5+ blocks in a single season. The defensive foundation is there. Now, as she continues to mature physically, the focus shifts to becoming a more consistent double-digit scorer.
She's majoring in communications and has that "life of the party" personality off the court, but on it, she's becoming a tactical weapon that Mountain West coaches have to account for in their scouting reports. You can't teach 6-foot-6, and you definitely can't teach 6-foot-6 with 200-meter sprinter speed.
How to follow her progress:
Keep an eye on the Mountain West block rankings. If she stays healthy, she’s on track to potentially become the all-time leader in blocks at Utah State. Watch for her to increase her three-point volume, too—it’s the part of her game that makes her a legitimate pro prospect.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the official Utah State Aggies schedule to catch her in action at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
- Follow the Mountain West "Center of the Year" watchlists; Gracie’s defensive metrics often put her in the conversation despite lower scoring averages.
- If you’re a coach or scout, watch her footwork in transition; it’s a masterclass in how a tall player can utilize track-and-field mechanics on a basketball court.