Justin Johnson and
his Bronco teammates kick off the 2006-2007 season tonight at home against
Salpointe. Game time is
7:00pm
Player
Spotlight:
Name: Justin
Johnson
School:
Brophy
College
Prep
Position: F- G Ht: 6’ 7 1/2
Wt: 190
High School
Coach: Tony
Fuller
Cager
Report:
What were your stats from last season?
Johnson:
14 ppg 7 Reb
CR:
What is your official height and weight?
Johnson: 6’
7 ½ 190lbs
CR:
What is your greatest basketball memory?
Johnson: Well,
as a player I would have to say my greatest basketball memory was beating St.
Mary’s at ASU. That was my personal first win against them as a brophy
player.
CR:
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
Johnson: To
do whatever I can to get our team a victory.
CR:
What aspect of your game have you really worked hard to improve? What area would
you like to keep improving on?
Johnson: I
want to improve on my ball handling. I want to keep improving on my rebounding
and driving to the basket as well.
CR:
Who are some of your teammates that people need to watch out for?
Johnson: Our
pg Nick Rivers, he has the ability to become one of the better point guards in
the state.
CR:
What are your goals regarding playing basketball in college?
Johnson: My
goals are to go to a school where I can get playing time and be in a system that
fits my style of play.
CR:
Would you consider staying in state to play in college?
Johnson: I
would consider it, ASU seems to be headed in the right direction with Coach
Sendek and Arizona
is a top program every year.
CR:
What would your top 5 college choices be? Do you have any offers yet?
Johnson: Yes
I have offers but I intend to wait till the spring signing period and because of
my age 17. Prep school is an option as well. I can’t say I have a top choice; however
I would love to go to a school in the Pac Ten Conference or a School on the West
Coast.
CR:
Who is the best player you ever played against? Why?
Johnson: I
would say Jerryd Bayless, because he brings it every game and is one of the most
competitive players to play against.
CR:
Name one opponent who you really respect and why?
Johnson: Once
again, Jerryd Bayless, although our apart of our school’s hated rival school St.
Mary’s, I know how hard he has worked to become the player he is today and I
respect his work ethic.
CR:
What Club Basketball team do you player for in the Spring and Summer?
Johnson: I
played for the AZ Stars.
CR:
How do you think your coach would describe you as a player?
Johnson: Expects
me to be an all-around player and a leader.
CR:
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a player?
Johnson: My
strengths starts off with my ability to shoot the ball, I can rebound and defend
and also pass. Ball handling is probably my weakest but its above average.
CR:
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Johnson: My
favorite athlete would have to be Tracy McGrady. Just because I love what he can
do on the floor and some of the stuff he does I can do as well.
CR:
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Johnson: “Your
only as good as you last game” Dad
CR:
Tell us what can we expect from your team this season?
Johnson: A
tough- hard nosed team who will get up in you every single game.
CR:
What position do you think you will play in college?
Johnson: Either
a 2-3
CR:
What can a college program expect from you as a player?
Johnson: A
hard worker who can shoot, rebound and defend.
CR:
What will the main factors be when you choose a school?
Johnson: The
education given to me and the system the schools plays
in.
CR: How has your Dad influenced your
basketball career?
Johnson: He
has been a major influence obviously. He’s always been there for me. HE’s has
ALWAYS gotten on me for things, but in the end I believe they have made me into
a very good player. I can remember in 7th and 8th grade
how horrible I was. Without him working with me I wouldn’t be the player I am
today.
CR: In a father/son one on
one competition, tell us what happens?
Johnson: A
lot of smack talks. It gets to the point where its just brutal. I remember when
I finally beat him. I was talking so much head. We played 3 games. I beat him
the first. Blew him out the 2nd. And he killed me the third. He says he is still
the winner because he won the last one, but I say otherwise. I don’t think we
have played since then… Can you blame him though?
CR:
If we asked Mr. Johnson, would we get the same answer?
Johnson: Most
likely, yes. He admits I whooped him.
CR:
A new coach (Tony Fuller) at Brophy, tell us what the major differences so far
have been, in his philosophy, practice plans and your development as a player?
Johnson: Major
differences. For one, practices are a lot more intense than my first three years
of brophy basketball. He expects a lot more out of us as well. He is a college
minded coach so he has a lot more to teach us to become better players and a
better team. His biggest want out of us is to be a tough team who will compete
every game and he puts a huge emphasis on it.
PrepCA.com &
PrepAZ.com
has started our exclusive coverage of prep basketball and will continue
extensively throughout the season, so be sure to tell all your teammates,
coaches, family and friends.
Athletic
directors, coaches or fans who would like to suggest a player to be
featured may contact PrepCA.com/PrepAZ.com Publisher Gary Trousdale at
trous@cox.net
Thanks
to Justin and
his family for giving us the opportunity to conduct this interview!
Gary
Trousdale
Publisher
PrepCA.com
PrepAZ.com
trous@cox.net