AMES — They call Iowa State transfer guard Jaquan Johnson “bully,” but he’s not mean-spirited, nor does he punch down.
It’s simply a hard-earned nickname based win on his stifling defensive demeanor. A badge of honor bestowed upon the former Bradley star and reigning Missouri Valley Conference defensive player of the year. And perhaps a harbinger of things to come as the 5-11 junior seeks to level up for the Cyclones in the rugged Big 12.
“My coaches came up with it out of nowhere,” Johnson said of his nickname after a recent practice at the Sukup Basketball Complex. “We just ran with it because of my playing style. I mean, getting into the ball (and) being a dog-type player.”
Johnson — who also averaged 16.9 points while shooting 38.3 percent from 3-point range last season — blankets opposing guards with unremitting pressure. He can’t stop, won’t stop. And he fits right in for ISU head coach T.J. Otzelberger, whose first five Cyclone defenses have ranked as high as first nationally according to KenPom, and no worse than 13th.
“He’s got a physical demeanor, a look in his eye and a way of going about things,” said Otzelberger, who also returns an elite front court defender in sophomore guard Killyan Toure. “As much as he competes, what’s really impressed me about him is his intelligence and his ability to pick things up quickly, because he’s a guy that doesn’t make the same mistake twice. Then he always gets to the next play. So he’s really stood out.”
So has the 6-3 Toure, who Otzelberger expects to be the best on-ball defender in the country this season. And Toure’s similarly impressed with Johnson, who likely shares that lofty goal.
Iowa State Cyclones guard Killyan Toure (27) reacts after making a three point shot during a 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Reginal Semifinal game between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Tennessee Volunteers in Chicago, Illinois on Friday, March 27, 2026.
Nick Rohlman/The Gazette
“Obviously, he’s a great defender so it’s nice playing against him (in practice), (and) playing with him,” Toure said. “He’s a good playmaker, as well, so he’s really fun.”
He’s also a “bully” in the most positive way and when he’s paired with Toure, look out.
“When they’ve been out there together, some great things have happened for us,” Otzelberger said.
Those things — collisions, deflections, steals — are what ISU’s defense is built to conjure up. Offense then flows from that disruption, leading to fast breaks and transitions 3s. Johnson thrives in such a system, which is why he made the move to Ames and aims to bully his way to significant playing time behind returning stars such as Toure and fellow guard Jamarion Batemon.
“They play exactly how I want to play,” said Johnson, who averaged 2.5 steals per game last season — slightly more than ISU’s recently-graduated all-time steals leader Tamin Lipsey. “Getting into guys, turning guys over, getting in transition, play(ing) fast.”
It takes a certain type of player to completely buy in to that grunt work-based style of play. It’s what Otzelberger and his staff look for during the recruiting process — whether for recent high schoolers or high-level transfers.
“You’re looking for guys that have that edge,” Otzelberger said. “That have that chip. They don’t see defense as something I’m doing to occupy my time until we get to play offense again. They understand the mentality and the mindset and how the best defensive teams are able to turn their defense into offense. They’re able to play more in transition. They’re able to attack the rim and the paint even more.”
So Johnson’s a bully among bullies. Not mean, simply determined. Ready not just to strike, but to stick with his team’s principles. Minute by minute, game by game; whether in late October, or deep into March.
“We’ve got a lot of great guys (who) want to do exactly what I want to do — get into the ball, create turnovers,” Johnson said. “So it makes it a lot easier for me.”