Written by Lexx Thornton
Diamond Johnson, a standout guard from Norfolk State and one of the most decorated players inHBCU women’s basketball, has signed a contract with Team Hefei in the Women’s ChineseBasketball Association (WCBA), according to a source.
Johnson’s journey to professional basketball includes a significant college career at Norfolk StateUniversity, where she played under the guidance of former head coach Larry Vickers. After short stints at Rutgers and NC State, she transferred to NSU, where she played from 2023 to 2025.
Diamond had an outstanding final season with the Spartans, averaging 18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds,4.3 assists, and 3.3 steals per game. Her remarkable performance during the season earned her the title of the 2024-25 MEAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Year.
The Minnesota Lynx invited the undrafted Johnson to its training camp but released her in the final cuts before the start of the new season.
By joining the WCBA’s Hefei squad, the Neumann-Goretti high school legend follows a path often taken by many American players seeking competitive play and new opportunities. Former WNBA point guard Kiana Williams, a star at Stanford, played a short stint for Hefei before returning to the U.S.
The WCBA is recognized for its high level of competition and is one of the best professional leagues outside of the U.S. Johnson’s signing not only highlights her determination to succeed at the professional level but also underscores the global reach of women’s basketball and the increasing visibility of HBCU athletes on the international stage.
WNBA teams have lost several high-profile shooting guards. Many believed Johnson should have had a tryout to replace the fallen athletes.
Nonetheless, her transition to the WCBA will be closely watched by HBCU sports fan sand analysts, hoping she will make her mark in one of the world’s premier women’s basketball leagues.
