Kris Johnson (basketball)

Kristaan Iman Johnson[1] (born July 18, 1975) is an American retired professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, where he also won a NCAA championship his freshman year in 1995. Johnson played eight years professionally in multiple countries, winning the Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Champions Cup in 2002 and being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP). He later worked as a basketball analyst for Fox Sports before starting his own sports website, JerseyChaser.com.

For the former NBA player from Louisiana State University, see Chris Johnson (basketball, born 1985). For the former NBA player from University of Dayton, see Chris Johnson (basketball, born 1990).
Kris Johnson
Johnson on scoreboard during an appearance at Pauley Pavilion in 2012.
Personal information
Born (1975-07-18) July 18, 1975
Los Angeles, California
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school
  • Montclair Prep (Van Nuys, California)
  • Crenshaw (Los Angeles, California)
CollegeUCLA (1994–1998)
NBA draft1998 / Undrafted
Playing careerc. 1998–c. 2006
PositionSmall forward / Shooting guard
Career history
?Avtodor Saratov
1999–2000Quad City Thunder
2000Sioux Falls Skyforce
2001–2003Al Rayyan
?Riyadi
2005Antranik
Career highlights and awards
  • ABC Champions Cup champion (2002)
  • ABC Champions Cup MVP (2002)
  • NCAA champion (1995)

Johnson played high school basketball for Crenshaw High School, where he was named Los Angeles City Section Player of the Year and won two consecutive California state basketball championships. He and his father, Marques—who played basketball professionally in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and college under legendary coach John Wooden at UCLA—are one of the few father–son combinations to either each be named Los Angeles City Section Player of the Year or to have both won an NCAA basketball championship.

Early life

Johnson was born in Los Angeles on July 18, 1975 to former NBA player Marques Johnson and health and beauty practitioner Sabrina Sheran.[1][2] He changed schools often due to his father's changing locations during his professional basketball career. He estimated he attended 27 schools. In 1987, Johnson was instructed to watch his 15-month-old brother, Marques Jr., when his little brother later accidentally drowned in the pool of the family's home in Bel Air in Los Angeles. Johnson contemplated suicide. His parents decided to move Johnson to Atlanta with his mother to ease the pain. He ended up in juvenile court after a school incident and was later kicked out of the Clayton County school system. After repeated conflicts with his mother, Johnson returned to Los Angeles, and he did not speak to his mother for three years.[1]

Johnson gained weight and was taunted by kids.[1] He played two years at Montclair Prep, where he lost 40 pounds (18 kg) between his freshman and sophomore years. He transferred his junior year from the private school of mostly whites to Crenshaw High School, a predominantly black public school.[3][4] His father had told him that his best chance of playing for a big Division I college like UCLA was to attend a school like Crenshaw, where Marques had starred.[3] Johnson averaged 22.6 points and 14 rebounds his first season at Crenshaw and won the Los Angeles City Section 4-A Player of the Year;[1][5] he and Marques, who won the award in 1973, became the first father–son combo to be honored.[6][note 1] Johnson won the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Division I championship with Crenshaw that season as well as in his senior year in 1994.[6][8][9] He averaged 23.3 points and 9.2 rebounds his final season.[10] Johnson associated with gangs while at Crenshaw, which was in the Crips' territory. He was once shot at by a member of the Bloods, a rival gang.[1]

UCLA career

Johnson caught UCLA's attention during recruiting with his ability to score and rebound in traffic.[11] He was tough to defend, especially when he backed in toward the basket.[10] He became the third Crenshaw High basketball player to attend UCLA—his father was the first.[note 2][12] Marques had won the 1977 John R. Wooden Award as the college basketball player of the year.[5] Johnson chose UCLA over Washington State, Arizona State, Arizona, Loyola Marymount, Ohio State and Louisville.[12] He was a key player from 1994–98 at UCLA, where he wore his father's No. 54.[1][2][4] Like his father, he won a national championship. The Johnsons are one of four father-son duos to each win an NCAA basketball championship.[note 3][13] UCLA was 102–27 and won three consecutive Pacific-10 titles during Johnson's career.[14][15] A 6-foot-4-inch (1.93 m) swingman with the ability to score in the low post and outside, Johnson was at times between 20 pounds (9.1 kg) and 50 pounds (23 kg) overweight.[2][16] Combined with his temper, he was called by one newspaper "The Round Mound of Sound", a play on Charles Barkley's nickname of "The Round Mound of Rebound".[2] Johnson lost another 30 pounds (14 kg) after his first year.[4] He was listed at 239 pounds (108 kg) in his senior year.[2]

He was slowed by arthroscopic surgery the summer before in his college freshman season. After impressive preseason practices during the fall, UCLA coaches projected him as a major contributor. However, he suffered a small stress fracture in his left leg and was sidelined for one month. Johnson returned 20 pounds (9.1 kg) heavier, but never regained his conditioning and was removed from UCLA's regular rotation. He initially pouted on the bench and was thrown out of practice, but he later became supportive of the team's success and retained his teammates' respect.[11] UCLA won the NCAA tournament,[2] which Johnson in 2009 called "the greatest experience of his life."[17] His second season in 1995–96 ended with UCLA's 43–41 upset loss to Ivy League champion Princeton in the first round of the NCAA tournament. "There was just a lot of chemistry-type issues about who was going to be the star," said Johnson about the team. "I can't say we were the most focused team going into the tournament. We kind of went into it like, 'Ivy League, schmivey league.' It was a total 'whatever.' What-ever."[18] In his junior season in 1996–97, the Bruins won 12 consecutive game before losing in the Elite Eight.[19]

Johnson was suspended for 50 days in the 1997–98 season, reportedly violating the school's drug policy on marijuana.[1][2] He also enrolled in a violence intervention program.[1] While nobody ever blamed Johnson for Marques Jr.'s death, he was not able to overcome the guilt over the death until after his suspension. "I knew I couldn't carry that weight for the rest of my life. My career, everything I had worked for, was hanging in the balance. My life flashed before my eyes," he said.[1] Johnson led UCLA in scoring in his senior year with an 18.4 average, 21.1 in Pac-10 play. He also averaged 5.0 rebounds and was named All-Pac-10 honorable mention.[2][20] He was honored as the team's co-Most Valuable Player along with Toby Bailey and J.R. Henderson.[21] Johnson became so responsible after the suspension that coach Steve Lavin used him as a model for the freshmen. "The trivial things that made him mad before don't bother him. He sees the bigger picture. He always felt like he had something to prove. Now, he seems at peace," said Bailey.[1] The team advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament that season.[16]

Professional career

The Los Angeles Daily News wrote that Johnson lacked the quickness and defensive ability to play shooting guard in the NBA, and was too short to play small forward. He was projected to be an undrafted free agent or a player in Europe.[22] Johnson was drafted by the Yakima Sun Kings in the eighth round with the 67th pick of the 1998 Continental Basketball Association draft.[23] "I saw him work out in Seattle with (NBA draft picks) Felipe López, Corey Benjamin and Miles Simon, and he was as good or better than those guys," said Kings coach Paul Woopert.[20]

He played professionally for eight seasons in Russia, Turkey, Qatar, Lebanon, and China.[24] He started playing in Russia for Avtodor Saratov before playing in Turkey for a few months. He returned to the United States and played in the Continental Basketball Association for the Quad City Thunder in the 1999–2000 season[25][26] and briefly the next season for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in 2000.[27][28] He next went to Qatar and played in 2001–2003 with Al Rayyan, winning the 2002 Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Champions Cup;[25] Johnson scored 32 points in the championship game and was named the MVP of the tournament.[29][30] He later went to Lebanon to join Riyadi, and then Antranik in 2005.[25][31]

Outside basketball

Johnson worked at Fox Sports starting in 2008, where he worked for three years and served as a college basketball studio analyst and co-host of a segment named "Beyond the Arc."[32][33] He managed several business ventures,[34] and started the sports website JerseyChaser.com.[35]

Personal

Johnson has a younger brother, Josiah, who also played basketball at Montclair Prep[4] and UCLA.[36] Another younger brother, Moriah, enrolled at Tuskegee University in 2011 and joined its basketball team; he also co-starred on the reality television series, Baldwin Hills.[37]

Notes
  1. Dwayne Polee (1981) and Dwayne Jr. (2010) also won the award.[7]
  2. Gary Maloncon was the second.[12]
  3. The others are Scott and Sean May, Henry and Mike Bibby, and Derek and Nolan Smith.[13]
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References
  1. "UCLA's Johnson past the pain guilt, anger over kid brother's death took 10-year toll". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. March 19, 1998. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2012.(subscription required)
  2. Millman, Chris. "Kris Johnson, UCLA". sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2012.
  3. Baum, Barry (March 18, 1994). "Johnson Is Richest in Court Skills". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012.
  4. Bonsignore, Vincent (December 23, 1998). "Son shining: Johnson follows huge footsteps of dad, brother". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2012.(subscription required)
  5. Fellenzer, Jeff (September 9, 1993). "Kris Johnson to Attend UCLA". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 8, 2012.
  6. Waters, Sean; Lee, Kirby (March 28, 1993). "Johnson & Johnson Score a City 4-A First". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012.
  7. Bolch, Ben (March 26, 2010). "For Dwayne Polee Jr., basketball wasn't always a slam dunk". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 8, 2012.
  8. Shepard, Eric (March 20, 1994). "L.A. Crenshaw Beats Carmichael Jesuit for State Championship; Lynwood Falls Short". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012.
  9. Waters, Sean (March 20, 1994). "'Big Bus': End of the Line". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012.
  10. Waters, Sean (April 17, 1994). "The Best of the Best in High School Hoops". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012.
  11. Kawakami, Tim (March 1, 1995). "Round Mound of Sound : UCLA: Kris Johnson's biggest contribution has been to fire up Bruins against Duke". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 8, 2012.
  12. Waters, Sean (September 12, 1993). "Crenshaw's Kris Johnson Commits to UCLA". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 8, 2012.
  13. "Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler and a Crystal Ball Oliver Purnell Pursuing Greener Pastures Roy Halladay Deal Good for Baseball?". ESPN.com. April 6, 2010. Archived from the original on January 23, 2014.
  14. Wilner, Jon (March 21, 1998). "Seniors come to grips with loss". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2012.(subscription required)
  15. Crouse, Karen (March 21, 1998). "So long to seniors". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2012.(subscription required)
  16. Wilner, Jon (March 18, 1998). "Johnson can score inside or outside". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2012.(subscription required)
  17. Seckbach, Elie (October 7, 2009). JerseyChaser.com Correspondent UCLA Legend Kris Johnson. Event occurs at 0:51. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  18. Gregory, Sean (Mar 16, 2011). "Princeton vs. UCLA: Reflections on a Historic Upset". Time. Archived from the original on May 8, 2012.
  19. Kawakami, Tim (March 23, 1997). "Forget the Alamo". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 9, 2012.
  20. Thomas, Dave (September 23, 1998). "CBA Draft Sun Kings Get Their Men -- Yakima selects Fowlkes with 4th pick of CBA draft, then takes Hawaii point guard 5th". Yakima Herald-Republic. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2012.(subscription required)
  21. Finney, Ryan (2010). "2010–11 UCLA Men's Basketball Media Guide" (PDF). UCLA Athletic Department. p. 110. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 10, 2011.
  22. Wilner, Jon (June 24, 1998). "Local hopefuls". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2012.(subscription required)
  23. "CBA Draft List". Associated Press. September 23, 1998. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2012.(subscription required)
  24. Sechback 2009, 1:59
  25. Kozobiokian, Maria; Yaman, Wael (September 2, 2005). "Interview with Antranik's Star, Kristaan Johnson". FIBA. Archived from the original on May 9, 2012.
  26. "UCLA Men's Hoops Finishes Season With 21-12 Record". UCLABruins.com. April 3, 2000. Archived from the original on May 9, 2012.
  27. "Transactions". Hartford Courant. November 28, 2000. Archived from the original on May 9, 2012.
  28. "Transactions" (PDF). Laredo Morning Times. December 13, 2000. p. 2B. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 9, 2012.
  29. "Qatar's Al Rayyan wins Asian basketball premiere club title". Associated Press. May 5, 2002. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2002.(subscription required)
  30. "Even God couldn't stop Al Rayyan". The Malay Mail. May 6, 2002. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved May 9, 2012.(subscription required)
  31. "Kris Johnson Basketball Player Profile, stats, biography, career". asia-basket.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2012.
  32. Crowe, Jerry (January 17, 2008). "Text messages from press row . . ". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 28, 2011.
  33. Sechback 2009, 2:46
  34. Bolch, Ben; Maddy, Eric (March 21, 2020). "Where are they now? A look at UCLA's 1995 NCAA men's basketball championship team". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  35. Sechback 2009, 0:39
  36. Adande, J.A. (April 2, 2003). "Howland Deal Near". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 9, 2012.
  37. Morgan, Jessika (February 13, 2012). "SIAC Player Spotlight- Moriah Johnson: Faith > Fame". thesiac.com. Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013.
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