Wherever Wally Johansen (August 26, 1917 – September 8, 1971) played basketball in the state of Oregon, championships would follow.
Born in 1917, Johansen grew up in Astoria and found a role in the high school basketball program led by coach John Warren. Johansen, a 6-foot-2 guard, teamed with classmate and fellow guard Bobby Anet to help the Fishermen win two state titles back-to-back. Their three-year record with Johansen was 112-15. He also played football for Astoria.
Wally came to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon when Warren became an assistant coach with the Webfoots. At Oregon, Johansen developed his skills under Coach Howard Hobson and helped the Ducks win the Pacific Coast Conference Northern Division title three consecutive years The 1939 team won the PCC title after a best-of-three series victory over California then went on to win the first NCAA tournament, defeating the 46-33 victory over Ohio State in the championship game. Johansen scored nine points in the final.
Following his senior season, Johansen remained in Eugene and earned a master’s degree from the University of Oregon School of Law. Wally interrupted those studies to serve in World War II. He eventually became a partner in a law firm in Coos Bay and served as President of the Oregon State Bar in 1967-68. Johansen was inducted into the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996, and the Ducks have retired his #32. He is also a member of the Astoria High School Hall of Fame.
