Murray State University Athletics
Johnson Joins Racers Ahead of 2026-27 Season
4/13/2026 8:35:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Paducah Native Claire Johnson officially inked with MSU to become a Racer in 2026
Johnson comes to the Racers after spending last season with Nebraska where she averaged 10.5 minutes per game along with 3.5 points per game. In her season debut with the Cornhuskers, Johnson scored 21 points over Northwestern State. Prior to her time in the Big 10, Johnson was an All-Conference performer at Samford during her freshman campaign. In her lone season with the Bulldogs, she averaged 12.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists to earn second-team All-SoCon honors while shooting 47 percent from the field and over 40 percent from behind the three-point line.Â
"I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity and that God has brought me back home," said Johnson. "This is a great program with amazing people and I'm really excited for the next two years!"
"Claire is a perfect fit for our program," said Turner. "We are Racers, and we want the basketball we play to live up to the name as few players in the country play as fast as Claire, and she will be a tremendous weapon to deploy in our system. She excels in the open court, and she possess the efficiency and versatility to shine in the half court as well. Claire competes with great intensity on both ends of the floor, and her unique combination of character, talent, and work ethic will enrich and expand our championship culture. Racer fans will love watching Claire play, and adding her to the great young women in our program will put us in position to keep pursuing championships here at Murray State. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Claire to our women's basketball family!"
Before her collegiate career, Johnson shined at McCracken County High School where she was a finalist for Miss Kentucky Basketball and took home Region 1 Player of the Year honors. While with the Mustangs, Johnson was high school teammates with forward Destiny Thomas. The Mustangs made a pair of state championship game appearances while Johnson eclipsed 2,000 points in her high school career.
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