​LAS VEGAS — The summer league has long been a proving ground for players who slipped through the cracks, offering a path to a training camp or an NBA roster through standout performances. Plenty of prospects go overlooked in the draft, yet they can still find a place on a team and eventually leave a mark on the league. For the Philadelphia 76ers, the candidate who could seize that chance is Isaac Johnson. Known as “Big Fish,” he spent four collegiate seasons across three programs: an initial stint at Oregon, a transfer to Utah State for two years, and a final year at Hawaii. In his last college season, the 2025-26 campaign, Johnson averaged 14.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and he now aims to translate that production into a solid NBA opportunity with the Sixers, while also showcasing his game to other teams.
At practice Friday, Johnson framed the moment as a chance for everyone on the roster to measure where they stand. “I think for everybody here, it’s an opportunity just to see where we line up,” he said. “All of us have to be able to just play to the best of our ability right now, and so right now it’s. I said in one of the huddles, ‘Welcome to Vegas.’ I said ‘We can make a lot more money than at the tables right now.’ So that’s the point we’re at. We’re trying to just make a spot on whatever team and trying to just show what we can do.”
That mindset is sensible, but Johnson also recognizes the need for a balance. He’s chasing an NBA opportunity, whether that comes with the Sixers or another organization. So while he must play within the team’s system and adhere to the right approach, he also understands the importance of asserting himself to stand out.
“Everyone has a role,” Johnson noted. “Everyone’s here for a specific reason. The one amazing thing about this team that we showed is they shared the ball. Nobody was being greedy. Everyone played within their role. It was amazing, and that’s why we were able to hold them off—Thursday’s win over the Detroit Pistons. We were able to score so much, and I was blessed with open shots because my teammates were able to facilitate, make amazing drives and kicks, and it just made everything work.”
When Johnson came off the bench, he produced an eye-catching 20 points on 6-for-10 shooting, including four of six from deep. He displayed a considerable amount of emotion and quickly became a source of excitement for Sixers fans who already appreciate his passion for the game and what he brings to the court.
“Usually, it’s hard for me to control, but when I start feeling it, my emotions—like I’m usually a very logical person, and so I don’t react in any negative ways,” Johnson said. “But as long as it’s energy-giving, then I usually like my emotions; they’re very big, and you can see that in my celebrations, hopefully for my teammates as well, not just for myself. So, that’s something else I hope to bring.”
Johnson’s nickname, “Big Fish,” has a playful origin. It began as a middle-school joke with a friend who would call each other “fish,” and Johnson leaned into the moniker as his career progressed. The nickname stuck, and it has followed him through the college transition and into his early pro career, symbolizing a belief that there is room to swim with the bigger players and make waves in the NBA.
As the summer league unfolds, Johnson’s objective remains clear: maximize his opportunities, impress the Sixers or other scouts, and demonstrate that he can contribute as a reliable scorer who can stretch the floor with shooting, while also providing competitive energy and playmaking off the bench. If he can maintain his rhythm and keep exhibiting the same level of enthusiasm and versatility he flashed in Las Vegas, his chances of earning a more permanent spot on an NBA roster could steadily improve.
Ultimately, the summer league is about turning chances into opportunities. For Isaac Johnson, the path appears to be moving in the right direction — a blend of efficient scoring, engaged defense, teamwork, and a persona that communicates a genuine love for the game. If he can keep delivering performances like the one that highlighted his one-game breakout, there will be a growing case for him to be viewed as a legitimate NBA depth piece and a potential contributor in professional basketball at the highest level.