Miami Heat convert former Arizona forward Keshad Johnson to two-year contract

Christmas arrived a day early for Keshad Johnson.

The Arizona Wildcats alum has secured a two-year contract with the Miami Heat after beginning the season on a two-way contract. Shams Charania of ESPN was first to report the contract conversion.

Johnson made two appearances for the Heat this month but otherwise has played with the organization’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

He averaged 21.2 points and 8.3 rebounds in the G League. Johnson helped lead the Skyforce to the G League Winter Showcase championship game over the weekend.

Johnson went undrafted after a standout redshirt senior season at Arizona where he averaged 11.5 points and 5.9 rebounds. Johnson played his first four collegiate seasons at San Diego State.

Johnson’s promotion to the Heat means he’ll be teaming up with Pelle Larsson. Miami is one of two NBA teams to feature a pair of Arizona players, joining the Indiana Pacers (Bennedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell).

The last time two former Arizona teammates played together in the NBA was 2019-20, when Stanley Johnson and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson were on the Toronto Raptors.

Before that was the 2018-19 season, when Kadeem Allen and Allonzo Trier suited up for the Knicks.

Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill shared a front court with the Houston Rockets across parts of three seasons (2009-12).