SIOUX FALLS – University of Sioux Falls Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Johnson has announced the signings of transfer Cedric Johnson of Bellevue, Neb., and incoming freshman Ahmad Jahed of Stoughton Mass., who will continue their academic and athletic careers at USF. 

"We are really excited that Cedric (Johnson) and Ahmad (Jahed) have chosen to join the USF family," said Johnson. "We can't wait to get to work with both of them in the fall.  We feel that both of these guys can impactful careers here and are excited to see what the future holds with these two standout student-athletes," he said.
 
A 6-2, 180-pound guard from Bellevue, Neb., Johnson comes to USF as a sophomore transfer from Nebraska-Kearney, where he averaged 7.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists in the 2020-21 season. Overall at Nebraska-Kearney, he played 48 games and started 22 with 273 career points and 155 rebounds (131 defensive) along with 86 assists, 12 blocks and 32 steals. He has made 97-of-218 field goals for 44.5 percent, 28-of-81 for 34.6 percent from three-point range and 50-of-64 free throws for 78 percent.
 
In 19 starts in 21 games in 2020-21, he scored 161 points with 104 rebounds (91 defensive), 53 assists, 15 steals and nine blocks. He was 60-of-131 from the field for 45.8 percent and was 16-of-51 from three-point range for 31.4 percent. Johnson, who hit 25-of-34 free throws for 73.5 percent, had eight double-digit games with a career-high 18 points and nine rebounds against Pitt State (1-21-21).  In 2019-20, he made three starts and played 27 games while averaging 4.1 points and 1.9 rebounds. He totaled 112 points, 33 assists, 51 rebounds (40 defensive), three blocks and 17 steals. He was 37-of-87 from the field for 42.5 percent and 13-of-30 for 43.3 percent from three-point range while hitting 25-of-32 free throws for 78.1 percent.
 
"Cedric is an athletic guard with great skills, who has already proven to be a very productive player at this level in a very good league (MIAA)," said Johnson. "He is a tremendous passer and rebounder on top of his scoring abilities.  He has been well-coached in high school and at his previous stop and we believe that he will improve our perimeter group immediately.  Cedric also has the ability to defend on the wing, he is also very versatile which fits right into what we were looking for," added Johnson.
 
One of the top prep players in Nebraska in 2017-18, Johnson was named third team All-Nebraska by the Omaha World-Herald and Super-State by the Lincoln Star Journal. At Bellevue West, he averaged 16.3 points, six rebounds, three assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals per game as he accumulated 1,118 points.  The son of Sylvo Johnson and Renee Esquivel, he was a three-sport standout in high school (basketball, football, track and field). In basketball, he led Bellevue West to a 20-7 record and a spot in the Nebraska Class a State title game where he scored 14 points with eight rebounds. Named third team All-Nebraska by the Omaha World Herald, he was second team Super State as named by the Lincoln Journal Star. Johnson was also an all-state wide receiver in football with 54 catches for 936 yards and 11 TDs. He helped Bellevue West win the 2016 Class A football state title and reach the playoffs twice. Johnson, who has two siblings, Sylvo, Jr., and Zayda, will study health sciences at USF.
 
Jahed was a standout guard at Houghton High School and then at Lee Academy in Lee, Maine before coming to USF. He averaged 15 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while hitting 40 percent from three-point range and 90 percent at the foul line at Lee Academy. The son of Chowki Jahed and Dunia Jahed, he has three siblings, Abdallah, Halime and Ayah.
 
In high school, he was named to the Hockomock All Star Team in 2020 after averaging 15.6 points and seven assists per game.
 
"Ahmad (Jahed) has nice size for a combo guard, his length will be very helpful in our league.  He is also a tremendous shooter and will help in that area right away as well," said Johnson. "Ahmad has had success in his high school and prep school, and was coached very well at both places.  He is also versatile and can play multiple perimeter positions.  We feel like Ahmad has the ability to both facilitate and score and will develop into a good defender," he said.