DAVIS, Calif. - Another member of UC Davis' Big West championship team will continue his playing career abroad when Avery Johnson recently signed a professional contract to compete for the Kilsyth Cobras.

Kilsyth, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, competes in the South East Australian Basketball League, the country's premier winter basketball league.

In his final season at UC Davis, Johnson was named a starter in all 32 games, averaged 6.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg and was a key reason why the Aggies posted the top three-point percentage in the country. His .410 shooting clip from three was the eighth highest among all league players, but it was his defensive prowess that forged his reputation within the Big West Conference.

With his quick hands, Johnson's 1.22 steals per game average ranked him No. 10 among all league players. His ability to contain opponents' top scorers, and minimize their effect on the game, helped UC Davis post new Div. I school records for the most overall, home, Big West, non-conference and road victories in a single season.

The heartbeat of the Aggies' defense was a key reason why the 2014-15 team won its inaugural conference championship, secured its first-ever postseason berth as a Division I program, recorded a +16 win differential - the highest in the nation and new Big West record - and received a No. 8 national mid-major ranking.

After transferring to UC Davis from San Francisco, Johnson ended the 2013-14 season with a .410 three-point percentage in league games - the highest among all Big West Conference players. The Long Beach native started 16 of 31 contests played throughout his inaugural season as an Aggie, averaged 4.5 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

In his final season at UC Davis, Johnson was named a starter in all 32 games, averaged 6.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, and was a key reason why the Aggies posted the top three-point percentage in the country. His .410 shooting clip from distance was the eighth highest among all conference players, but it was his defensive prowess that drew the attention from opposing coaches.

With his quick hands, Johnson's 1.22 steals per game average ranked him No. 10 among all league players. His ability to contain opponents' top scorers, and minimize their effect on the game, helped UC Davis post new Div. I school records for the most overall, home, Big West, non-conference and road victories in a single season.

The heartbeat of the Aggies' defense was a key reason why the team recorded a +16 win differential, the highest in the nation and new Big West record, and received a No. 8 national mid-major ranking - the highest in school history.

Kilsyth head coach Rod Popp will enter his second season when the Cobras open training camp in early January. The 2016 season will start in the spring and run through August.

UC Davis basketball fans can follow Johnson by visiting his new team's website.