Former Tiger basketball standout returns to Lemoore, sponsors basketball camp
Calling his two-day camp “The Home League,” Johnson put on a basketball clinic for about 50 local youngsters at the Heritage Park basketball courts. The two-day clinic also included a men’s five-on-five basketball tournament, the winners earning a $1,000 cash prize.
The tourney, played over two days, featured several local teams, including a team from the Lemoore Police Department. Turns out the “Sleepy Birdies” won the tournament and the cash prize. Second place went to Playground Legends. Approximately 100 players participated in the competition.
“I just wanted to give back to the community,” said the personable young man who intends to finish up his business management degree at California State University Dominguez Hills. “I go to events like this all the time. I wanted to set up something for the folks at home.”
Johnson had some help from sister Sade Johnson, an LHS alum who recently earned her fine arts diploma from San Jose State. Mom Leilia and his father T.J. helped out too.
“That’s why it’s called the “Home League,” said Johnson. “It’s where I’m from.”
While a standout during his high school playing days, Johnson continued his playing career at Bakersfield Community College. He also enrolled in Anaheim’s Bethesda University. These days he takes his skills to the Venice Beach League, home to off-duty NBA players and local players. While playing Sundays in Venice, Johnson fostered a friendship with the league’s chief executive officer. “I’m friends with the CEO, and he helped me. This is something I do every Sunday, so I thought I’d bring it to Lemoore.
“All the best players on the West Coast play in it,” he said. This weekend, Johnson will take on NBA superstar James Harden and a few of his Houston Rockets’ teammates. “We play with NBA players every week.”
Johnson said this week’s Home League wouldn’t be his last. “I want to do this basically whenever I come home for the summer.”
