Former Hawaii star Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson to play in NBA Summer League

Former Hawaii star Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson to play in NBA Summer League

Jun 25, 2026

Former Hawaii star Isaac “Big Fish” Johnson to play in NBA Summer League

Hawaii C Isaac Johnson gives an extra stare after a putback dunk in the first half against UC San Diego. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Big Fish is getting the call to the big leagues.

Well, the NBA’s Summer League, at least.

Former University of Hawai’i standout and Big West 1st-team center Isaac Johnson will play for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, according to his representation from Slash Sports & Entertainment.

Johnson quickly became a fan favorite in his lone season in the islands, captivating fans with his signature “Big Fish chomp” celebration and multiple memorable performances in big moments.

The sweet-shooting 7-footer started all 33 games for the Big West champion Rainbow Warriors in 2025-26, averaging career highs across the board with a team-best 14.1 points along with 5.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game.

He also led UH from the charity stripe, drilling 88.5% of his free throws (2nd-best single-season percentage in program history) and became the first Hawai’i player since Stefan Jovanovic (’15-16) to tally 30+ three pointers and 30+ blocks in a single season.

“It feels pretty awesome to have this opportunity,” Johnson said in a text to HSRN on Thursday after receiving Summer League invite. “I’m so grateful for the opportunities Hawai’i gave me … All the staff and people the in community that made this dream a reality.”

The NBA Summer League runs from July 9-19 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Pavilion on the campus of UNLV and will see all 30 teams participate. Full rosters have not yet been released.

The 76ers will play four games through pool play, facing off against the Pistons, Pacers, Rockets and Magic over the course of seven days. The full schedule is below, courtesy of Adam Aaronson:

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From Kauai to $100 Million: Herbig Continues Family Legacy with Steelers Extension

From Kauai to $100 Million: Herbig Continues Family Legacy with Steelers Extension

Jun 4, 2026

From Kauai to $100 Million: Herbig Continues Family Legacy with Steelers Extension

Oct 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) takes the field to warm up before the game against the New York Giants at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

For Nick Herbig, the journey to a $100 million NFL contract began thousands of miles away in the small Kauaʻi town of Kalaheo.

Nick Herbig and the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract extension that includes $42 million guaranteed, according to reports from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Oct 12, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) takes the field against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

While the contract places Herbig among the NFL’s highest-paid defensive players, the former Hawaiʻi standout made it clear this week that his success belongs to more than just himself.

“I’m just a boy from Kalaheo, Kauai,” Herbig said. “It took a village to raise me and made me the man I am today.”

Herbig opened his media availability by thanking his parents, grandparents, brothers, and extended family, crediting them for helping him reach the NFL and ultimately earn a life-changing contract. He also spoke emotionally about his older brother, Nate Herbig, who retired from the NFL last year after carving out his own professional career.

“More than just a brother through this process,” Herbig said of Nate. “He’s really been that person I could lean on.”

Sep 21, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) after the game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

For football fans in Hawaiʻi, the Herbig name has long been synonymous with hard work, sacrifice, and family.

Born and raised on Kauaʻi, Nick and Nate eventually made the move to Oʻahu to attend Saint Louis School, one of the nation’s premier high school football programs. The decision required tremendous sacrifice from the Herbig family, including their parents working multiple jobs and grandparents relocating to support the brothers’ dreams.

“I can’t even begin to tell you what my parents did in order for me and my brother to go there,” Herbig said. “My mom and dad worked two jobs. They really showed me firsthand what it was like to work hard.”

The sacrifices paid off.

As a senior in 2019, Herbig helped cap one of the most dominant dynasties in recent Hawaiʻi high school football history. Saint Louis defeated Kahuku 45-6 in the Open Division championship game, securing a fourth consecutive HHSAA state title and extending the Crusaders’ winning streak to 38 consecutive games dating back to 2016.

That same season, Herbig was named the 2019 ScoringLive All-Hawaiʻi Open Division Defensive Player of the Year after establishing himself as one of the state’s premier defensive playmakers.

From Saint Louis, Herbig went on to star at the University of Wisconsin before being selected by Pittsburgh in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Now entering his fourth NFL season, Herbig has become a key piece of the Steelers’ defense and a cornerstone of the franchise’s future.

Despite the accolades, the money, and the growing national recognition, Herbig’s message after signing his extension reflected the values that shaped him back home in Hawaiʻi.

“I truly believe this is where God put me,” Herbig said. “I believe that I was born to be a Steeler.”

For the Herbig family, and for football fans across Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi, the latest milestone is another reminder that even the biggest NFL dreams can start on a small island.